Ladysmith Rescue Squad volunteers, from left, 2nd Lt. Bob Carlson, Secretary Linda Wood, and EMTs Caitlyn Sheppard and Kevin Rickens. (CP photo by Greg Glassner)
The Ladysmith Rescue Squad and Volunteer Fire Department were out in force May 2 at the annual Ladysmith Day event.
The huge, shiny, colorful ambulances and fire trucks are always an attraction for youngsters, who love crawling around on them and posing for family photos in oversized fire helmets.
While kids dream of growing up to be firemen or EMTs (emergency medical technicians), not enough of them follow through on that dream once they become teens and adults.
Which is another reason the county’s volunteer forces show up for festivals and other public events. A third, of course, is that they are on the premises if needed.
The county’s volunteer fire and rescue squads have to do a lot of recruiting to keep their ranks filled with trained personnel.
“We are always open and never close,” said 2nd Lt. Bob Carlson. “We have 40 members, about 25 active. We used to be assisted by the career providers. Now we are supporters. We try to cover nights and there are times the whole county is busy,” he added.
“We cover from the Hanover line to Spotsylvania, east of Interstate 95,” Carlson said. “Any time Bowling Green gets busy, we cover for them and they do the same for us. It is a county-wide effort.”
Although it takes a prescribed amount of training to run calls as an EMT, the rewards and satisfaction are many. Some young adults start out as volunteers and use that as a path to a career in emergency services or other jobs in the medical field.
“It is not unusual for EMS and fire personnel to work somewhere else (as professionals) and volunteer for Caroline County when off duty,” said Secretary Linda Wood.
Caitlyn Sheppard is just completing her training. “It takes about nine months to become an EMT and after that six more months to run calls,” she said. Training is in evenings or weekends to suit the applicant.
“It depends on scheduling and a person’s ability, “ she added.
“It is possible for someone to become certified by training two nights a week and one day on weekends,” Carlson noted.
All of the training and equipment costs money. Fundraising is another role of the volunteers.
All of the county’s fire and rescue stations will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 16. Stop by, sit in a fire engine or ambulance, munch on a hot dog and consider volunteering.
Ladysmith fire and rescue will be visible Memorial Day weekend asking folks to “fill the boot” with donations at Lake Caroline.