Fran Phillips

Submitted by Carol Gothard, VAVRS Administrative Assistant

Fran was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1941. She told me that she met her husband, J.C. Phillips on a blind date when she was 17 years old. They never dated anyone else. They were engaged in May 1960 and were married in October of the same year.

She first became interested in volunteering when her husband was running first call from home after he joined the squad. Her job was to answer the phone in the middle of the night and get the information while he dressed. It August 1965 she was invited to become a member of the Auxiliary. She took EMT at John Tyler Community College in 1973 ad was on an EMT competition team for 20 years.

After becoming increasingly active with the Forest View Senior Squad, she was voted into Associate Membership and then into Active Membership. She held many elected positions in both the Squad and Auxiliary. Fran was elected President of the Senior Squad and District 3 Vice President. She said she had the honor of being the VAVRS Recruitment and Retention Chair for nine years. She has been volunteering for VAVRS for 58 years.

Fran is a Life Member of Forest View Auxiliary, AVAVRS, Forest View Senior Squad, VAVRS and District 3. Somehow, she still found time to raise four daughters! She also has seven grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. All of them live in Virginia. AVAVRS, VAVRS and Forest View Rescue Squad has been a major part of her life.

Most of her friends are involved in these organizations. She says she feel blessed with having two families –her biological family and her EMS family.

Her advice to younger members of the organization is to do your best and take all the training offered to you.

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If you don’t “get something” ask for help. Attend all meetings and read your agency’s bylaw and SOP’s so you are informed in all areas of the workings of your organization. Be sure that your family understands the time requirement and why you are willing to help neighbors in their time of need.”

She would like to see the organization actively listen to the members who attend meetings. They should keep notes on suggestions that are given to them. If a member has a concern about something, she feels they should be pointed in the right direction to answer that concern. If people feel needed and appreciated, they will become more involved.

Be sure to ask Fran about the “Hotsy-Totsy” room at convention.