What’s New with Salem Rescue Squad?

Submitted by Darlene Gee RN BSN Paramedic

Salem Rescue Squad checking in to keep you up to date on what’s new with our squad and our members. Hopefully this finds all of our brothers and sisters in EMS doing well. Since our return to service following COVID, we’re staying quite busy. That’s what it’s all about though, answering the call. Our EMS family is growing in numbers and in achievements. Additionally we just had elections at our squad to fill the shoes of our officer roles and we are grateful for those within our squad that have served to guide and lead our organization.

Salem Rescue Squad has been quite busy with stand-bys. Seems we’re always busy with the various events in our community. Concerts, Salem After Five and sporting events have kept our squad busy but involved with those in our community and we’ve certainly enjoyed getting to know those folks a little better. I must admit that attending the AEW wrestling event held at the Salem Civic Center was entertaining as I did not expect it to be so dramatic and fun. We have a lot of upcoming stand-bys including the Salem Fair which is a large undertaking and will be held at the Salem Civic Center Wednesday June 28th through Sunday, July 9th . We hope to see you there having fun !

We’ve had reason to celebrate within our organization. We had seven members within our organization that had a significant academic or educational achievement. Joshua Purdy successfully completed the Fire Academy in Botetourt County and is now and EMT having successfully completing his EMT-B course and subsequently testing. Charlie McDonald completed his EMT course and is negotiating his way through EMT testing. Further, Charlie is a rising senior at Salem High School. Rylee Black graduated from Staunton River High School and has also completed the EMT-B course and is working toward completing the testing for certification as an EMT-B. Jacob Gray also graduated from Staunton River High School. He is working toward a career as a dispatcher in Emergency Services. Mike Sullivan “Sully” graduated from Salem High School and is scheduled to enter the military in August and hopes to serve as a proud member of the Army as an MP (Military Police Officer). Kearston Day completed the EMT course and is working toward certification as she is in the planning stages for testing. Finally, Bree Carter graduated from Roanoke College with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She hopes to become a PA (Physician’s Assistant). Congratulations and good luck to all of our newest graduates.

On Monday, June 12th, our squad held it’s elections. We are so appreciative of our outgoing officers as due to COVID they held their respective offices for 3 consecutive years.

The outgoing officers in order of rank include, Chief-Glen Gray; Assistant Chief-Vacant; CaptainMelissa Gray; Lt. Operations-Gene Bourne; Lt. Training-Jane Lindsay; Lt. Personnel-Brian Sprouse; Lt. Medical-Melissa Gray and Lt. Mechanical-Jack McDaniel. Appointed offices held for those three years included Al Scalera who held the offices of Treasurer and Secretary; Gene Bourne-Supply Officer; Mike Moore-Building and Grounds Officer and Jane Lindsay-Infection Control Officer.

The Salem Rescue Squad is very fortunate to have had these officers to keep our squad going. Thank You.

The incoming 2023 officers to take office in July include the following: Gene Bourne-Chief; Brian Sprouse-Assistant Chief; Ken Cook- Captain; Rachel Pryse-Lt. Operations; Darlene Gee-Lt. Training; Ken Cook-Lt. Personnel; Jane Lindsay- Lt. Medical and Jake Emmond-Lt Mechanical. We are awaiting for our chief to fill the appointed office positions.

We’re gradually finding our way back from COVID. Our membership continues to grow and we continue to network with other EMS agencies and this should prove to help keep our squad active and ever growing as the healthcare field is known for. We look forward to seeing you, our friends and EMS pros out there in the field, at con-ed or while turning around at the ER.

Until next time, stay safe.