J. C. Phillips

Submitted by Carol Gothard, VAVRS Administrative Assistant

J. C. Phillips is a VAVRS Life Member, Hall of Fame Inductee, Past President and Parliamentarian Emeritus.

He was born in 1939 in Smithfield, North Carolina but moved to Virginia when he was six months old. J. C. married is wife, Fran in October of 1960. He became active in Forest View Rescue Squad in May of 1965 and attended his first VAVRS Convention in September of 1965 at Natural Bridge. He decided to join after he and Fran observed Forest View Rescue Squad members working an automobile accident with several injuries. They were wearing all white uniforms and impressed them with their professionalism. J.C. has been a member of VAVRS since that time. He started competing in First Aid Contest s in District 3 and VAVRS in 1967. That same year he became a Basic and Light Duty Rescue instructor. Amazingly, he has attended every Convention since 1965.

Not only has J. C. been fully involved in the VAVRS but his wife has been as well. Their oldest daughter is a Life Member of Forest View, and her son is a paramedic with King George Fire and Rescue. At one time, two of their sons-in-law and a grandson were members of Forest View. J. C. has have four daughters, seven grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren who all live in Virginia.

VAVRS and Forest View Rescue Squad has been a major part of his life since joining both organizations. The majority of his friends are involved with the two organizations. He says he feels blessed with having two families, his biological family and his EMS family.

When you talk to J. C., have him tell you about how people would get him and L. E. “Buddy” Phillips. It is a funny story and well worth the listen!

A bit of history - J. C. inherited the R S 1 license plate from Charlie Ketcham who chaired to the Legislative Committee in the early 1970s.

J. C. would like the VAVRS to find out what it takes to have a strong membership and figure out wat it would take to increase district and convention attendance. He feels that for an organization to continue to survive it needs new members and older experienced members to have a good balance. He would recommend to new members that if they want to take on a leadership role, they should read the bylaws, know what your job entails and be able to give the job the time it requires. They will need the backing of their family and employer.

Let’s hope that all old and new members try to live up to J. C.’s dedication.