S P R I N G 2 0 1 3

L I N E STHE FIRST CALL: New Volunteers Embrace the Excitement of Lifesaving

P U B L I S H E D Q U A RT E R LY B Y

Trying to save a life can be intense. Just ask Nicola McMillan who vividly remembers her first big call as a member of the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad.

She had just completed her training and there she was, trying to concentrate on a stroke patient amidst a frenzy of ambulances, fire trucks and police officers. Every sense was heightened, and her adrenaline was pumping. “It’s very much a roller coaster of emotions,” says Nicola, who felt immediately

the awesome responsibility placed on her. That hasn’t wavered since. “The honor, respect and dignity I feel on the job is so rewarding, but there were so many conflicting emotions for me in the first few weeks. EMS is in my blood, and I am lucky to have a wonderful support system. I am seeing things I have never seen before.”

Each volunteer has a different reason for giving back to the community. For Nicola, it’s the realization that she may have to use the skills she’s acquired in her own household. “I have six children, so I might have to save someone in my own home someday.”

Maggie Mack, a one year member of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, remembers her initial call well. “I thought I would be more of a bystander, observing the other volunteers, but that was definitely not the case,” she explains. “We were dispatched to a motorcycle accident, and those are known to be tough. My heart was racing.”

When she arrived on the scene, Maggie was thrown right in. “Everything I learned in my training came back to me, like muscle memory. It was the most amazing feeling to help this victim. I knew exactly what steps to take to treat him. It’s a leap of faith, and it can be scary at first, but knowing that you could save a life, and being able to reassure someone that they are going to be okay… that’s the best feeling.”

Ward Strickland, also a member of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, began running rescue at the end of 2011 to boost his resume and improve his chances of getting in to medical school.

His first call was a car accident, and he recalls feeling jittery, wondering how the other squad members remained so calm. “It was stressful. Our patient was having chest pains, and we thought he might go into cardiac arrest. I had the knowledge and had taken the classes, but on the scene it’s completely different.”

Cheryl Feick completed EMT training in February 2012, but did not become active until returning from maternity leave early this year. “We are given as much information as possible before we get on the scene, but you still never know what you’re going to get,” says Cheryl, who runs rescue for the Kempsville Volunteer Squad. “A shoulder pain could be a stroke. It’s all about communicating with your patient and the family members so we can take all the necessary steps to provide treatment.”

One of her first calls involved a small child, probably around the age of her youngest son, who was eventually transported to CHKD. “It was hard, but knowing we were doing the best that we could for her was so rewarding,” says Cheryl.

To those considering volunteer rescue service, Cheryl says, “It’s a lot of fun, you make a lot of good friends. Don’t be afraid to try it. Some things you learn might scare you, but the reward of helping people makes it all worthwhile.”

“I joined to help my resume for grad school, but now I can’t imagine my life without the rescue

squad,” says Ward Strickland from Va. Beach VRS.

Inside this Issue:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EMS Volunteer Named Hero (Page 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foundation Announces Grant and Scholarship Recipients (Page 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chief Edwards Receives Gilpin Award (Page 3)

Nicola McMillan is experiencing things she’s never experienced before as a new member

of Princess Anne Courthouse VRS.

Mission: To provide services to the community which preserve life, improve health and promote the safety of citizens and visitors who live, learn, work and play in our community. This mission is accomplished through a systems approach focused on providing timely responses; high quality patient care services; public awareness and education; proactive safety interventions; and all hazards readiness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vision: We are a leader in the emergency medical services field and the community is confident in our services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Virginia Beach Department of EMS Call StatsYEAR 2011/2012 CALLS FOR SERVICE 1st Quarter 2012 9,5562nd Quarter 2012 10,409 3rd Quarter 2012 11,004 4th Quarter 2012 9,868

Total 40,837

T H E C O U N C I L O F V I R G I N I A B E A C H VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUADS, INC. INCLUDES:

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue SquadDavis Corner Volunteer Rescue SquadChesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue SquadPrincess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue SquadCreeds Volunteer Rescue SquadKempsville Volunteer Rescue SquadBlackwater Volunteer Rescue SquadVirginia Beach Volunteer Rescue SquadPlaza Volunteer Rescue SquadSandbridge Volunteer Rescue SquadVirginia Beach Volunteer Water Rescue Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rescue Lines is published quarterly by the Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads and funded by the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, Inc. Send suggestions for consideration to the attention of Ashley Martin of Rubin Communications Group at the following email: ashley@rubincommunications.com.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chief, Emergency Medical ServicesBRUCE EDWARDS

OMD, Emergency Medical ServicesDR. STEWART MARTIN

President, Rescue CouncilTOM HARP

Executive EditorJOEL RUBIN, RUBIN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Writer/EditorASHLEY MARTIN, RUBIN COMMUNICATIONS GROUPRACHAEL KESHISHIAN, RUBIN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Graphic DesignJESSICA BENSTEN, RUBIN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Contributing PhotographerBOBBY HILL, VIRGINIA BEACH RESCUE SQUAD FOUNDATION

477 VI K I N G DR I V E , SU I T E 130V I R G I N I A B E A C H, VA 23452 757-385-1999

2 F O R I N F O R M A T I O N O N B E C O M I N G A V O L U N T E E R , V I S I T w w w. v a b e a c h e m s . c o m

EMS Volunteer Named Hampton Roads HeroOn Jan. 3, Face of Fox (Fox43) Rhonda

Arrington surprised Kempsville Volunteer Rescue Squad Captain and Paramedic April Achesinski with a Hampton Roads Hero Award. In a ceremony at the station, surrounded by close to 30 friends, family and fellow EMS volunteers, Captain Achesinski received a framed certificate recognizing her extraordinary efforts and commitment to community service.

For more than 13 years, Captain Achesinski has volunteered countless hours to answering emergency calls while completing her Paramedic training and going to college. In her time as Captain, she has acted as a mentor and leader to her squad members. Additionally, she has received numerous Life Saver Awards for successfully resuscitating cardiac arrest patients.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, April, and thank you for your dedication to the Volunteer Rescue Squads of Virginia Beach.

The Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation is pleased to announce the following squads as 2013 grant recipients:

Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad – $15,000 toward the purchase of a Glidescope and a Stryker Stretcher.Kempsville Volunteer Rescue Squad – $5,000 for hi-visibility reflective safety jackets.Ocean Park Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad – $13,600 for a Glidescope, ALS Lifecycle Replacement and additional ancillary equipment for a newly obtained Stryker Pro Stretcher.Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad – $14,500 toward the purchase of Stryker Power-Pro Stretcher and $2,500 toward equipment and supplies for a new community CPR training program.

In total, $50,600 was distributed to these four squads in an effort to provide a fiscal alternative to improving their operational capabilities. The grant application deadline is each October, and the funds are distributed to squads to assist with training, equipment and community outreach programs related to pre-

hospital emergency care. In addition to the annual grant program,

scholarships are also awarded to deserving students each year. The Langhorne and Pulley Memorial Scholarship is a joint partnership of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation. It was established in 2008 to assist eligible volunteer rescue squad members with the expenses of higher education, either for themselves or an immediate family member.

This year, the following individuals were awarded scholarships:

Joseph M. Achesinski Meridith E. Borza Patrick S. Kiley Stephanie Krebs Lora Jean Layton Benjamin M. Leach James A. Leach Daundee Marie Limon Paul Michael Pflueger Victoria Elizabeth Pirrone

For more information about these grant and scholarship opportunities, please visit the Foundation’s website at: www.vbrescuefoundation.org.

Dain

VB Rescue Squad Foundation Announces 2013 Grant & Scholarship Recipients

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Congratulations! These individuals have advanced to the following EMT Certification Levels:( N O V E M B E R 9 , 2 0 1 2 - F E B R U A RY 1 9 , 2 0 1 3 )

LIFEIslam, KorinneMcFarland, Jenni

EMT-PClark, WilliamEast, KatherineHanrahan, KyleIsca, ChristineIslam, KorinneMcMillan, NicolaMorris, DwayneShakelford, William

EMT-IDextradeur, DillonMolavi, MarkReichert, ShannonWiley, Kaleigh

EMT-EMcLeod, CharlesWright, Travis

EMT-BBlackshaw, Patricia

Brinkley, GaryCavolt, CorbinCeglia, ValerisCherry, ChristieCombs, EricDain, BrendaDiffley, NathanFloyd, KelleighGrigsby, JustinHubbs, KyleKidder, SturgisKlemm, AndreasKress, MichaelLittle, JamesMadril, JessicaMcCusker, DavidMcDermott, JenniferM'Coy, GraysonNg, HoimingPenny, TrinityPerez, ChristinaPizzo, JessicaPotter, CynthiaRamos, OrlandoRhodes, HollyShear, Grant

Skrosky, JenaSoto, MichaelSteele, JustinStires, AshleySullivan, DanielleSwift, MaryTolbert, ZuquanTroutman, HunterWaldron, EricaWalstrom, DarleenWillis, MelissaYeiser, Forest

BLS-Intern Armey, MatthewBascon, GeneBean, JoshuaBembury, TerrellBreedlove, AndrewBrown, JacobCorder, JessicaCowan, JarrettDougherty, ColletteDozier, TravisDuron, DavidFalguera, Mark

Gierie, JosephGorell, RyanGottimukkala, RushiHedjar, YanniHoughton, ThomasIrey, ChristinaJust, VolhaKronstedt, ShaneLarson, JarrodLeaf, CynthiaLee, TrevorLomonaco, FlaviaMcCauley, SpencerMorales, RhondaMyers, MalloryNovelly-Dovletov,

AmyOsborne, HeatherPease, KristenRoss, JuliaStanley, VirginiaStunda, BryantTala, GerryVaag, KirillWhitaker, Josh

StudentAlberto, MirandaAlcantara, DarylAnderson,CrystalAndre, WhitneyAnglin, JohnBittner, ErinBlunk, StephenBodkins, BrandiBoyd, TylerBreslin, TimothyBrown, HeideBrown, AlexBurke, BrianBurns, CameronCantey, CassandraChristodoulias, YannaCorra, RobertDrescher, DaleDudrow, JacquelineEremeev, DianeHansen, CarolHiggins, AbigailJafree, EhsanJordan, AmberKaibigan, Vilma

Kerr, GeraldLe, Hai ThanhMcKinney, StephanieMeacher, LaurenMidgett, LoganNg, Hoi-KoengPecora, ChristopherPeterson, RobertPetty, MelissaPonder, DeannaRose, DanielleSchultheis, BrantShabazz-Wiggins,

AngelaShafer, JonathenSnow, EmiliTorkilson, OndraTurnbull, DavidVencill, ChelseyWeiker, TammyWheeler, TammyWilmont, Brandon

Moving on up!

Chief Edwards Receives 2012 Virginia Gilpin Distinguished Service Award

At the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad’s 61st Annual Awards Banquet on Jan. 12, Virginia Beach EMS Chief Bruce Edwards was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Virginia Gilpin Distinguished Service Award.

The award was instituted in 2005 to recognize individuals whose outstanding actions and activities have helped to strengthen and enhance the volunteer rescue squad system in Virginia Beach.

“Chief Edwards’ unrelenting commitment and dedication to the volunteer rescue system in our city has long been recognized as one of the main reasons its longevity and strength endures,” said Kitty Schaum, Executive Director of the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, who presented the award to Edwards. “He has been, and continues to be, a strong and fierce advocate of this system and the volunteers that sustain it.”

Chief Edwards began his relationship with the system as a volunteer almost 46 years ago. In 1967, he became a member of the Ocean Park Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad and attained Life membership in 1977. In 1973, he assumed the position of Executive Director of the Emergency Coronary Care Program for the volunteer rescue squads, and in 1975 became the Coordinator of EMS. Both positions were the forerunners for what was to become the City of Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services. In 1984, Bruce became the EMS Director and Chief.

Thank you Bruce for your years of service and dedication to the volunteer rescue squads of Virginia Beach.

477 VI K I N G DR I V E , SU I T E 130V I R G I N I A B E A C H, VA 23452

VBVRS 37th Annual Oyster RoastThe 37th Annual Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Oyster Roast will be held on Sunday, March 24th at the Virginia Beach

Convention Center from 1 – 4 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person and include food, drinks, live entertainment, raffles, artisans and equipment demonstrations.

"This longstanding tradition is our largest fundraising event and is a great way for the community and our volunteers to come together,” says David Whitley, VBVRS member and Oyster Roast event chair. “Our members would not be able to provide the quality, free services our community relies on if it were not for the amazing support we receive at this event.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www.vbvrs.com.

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad will host a Spring Open House on May 18th from 10am - 4pm. This event will be an opportunity for the community to tour the station, see equipment demonstrations, ask questions and meet the squad members. Visit www.opvrs.com for more information.

National EMS Week is scheduled for May 19-25, 2013. Nominations are currently being accepted for Virginia Beach EMS Awards, which will be held on May 23. The nomination form can be found online at www.vbems.com.

The 79th Annual Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS) Convention will be held Sept. 25 - 28, 2013 in Virginia Beach. This event is held each year for squads to learn new techniques through medical seminars, enjoy competition and participate in educational and social activities.

Rebecca Wood from Plaza VRS was recognized as a Health Care Hero in the February 25 edition of Inside Business. Rebecca, who joined the rescue squads after her daughter suffered an unexpected seizure 12 years ago, takes pride in helping the elderly and medically fragile. In 2008, she was recognized for her treatment of the victims of the Thalia Gardens shootings. Congrats, Rebecca, on this well-deserved honor!

VBVRS members (left to right) Ellen McBride, Lewellen Moore, Blair Whitley Ray and Angie Keith work the silent auction booth at the 2012 Oyster Roast.

Announcements