Once again  Brandon Area Rescue Squad  has responded to a record number of calls. In 2004 the rescue squad responded  581,  an increase of 46 calls over the 535 calls in 2003.  In 2005, we have responded to more calls putting us past last years numbers .

                        Brandon - 387 Leicester - 50

                        Sudbury - 26               Goshen -   6    

            2004-2005 has been a very busy year for the Brandon Area Rescue Squad and many changes are on the horizon.  We are looking forward to our new rescue squad facility.  It will be located just south of the Maple Grove Restaurant and Cabins.  We are excited to see the progress made towards this goal.  Once we have our new building in place we will be able to provide space for members to spend time while on call, and be able to expand our training space, with room for meetings and the ambulances.

            There is a Fund-raising Committee actively researching different ways to raise some of the monies needed to pay for this project.  We had a coin drop last May,  a super bingo in August, a Harvest Dance in October, A Taste of Life in Vermont Dinner and many more activities.  To add to the funding for our new facility members are selling bricks for life which will be displayed on the front of our new building.

             With grants from Homeland Security we have been able to upgrade our ambulances with new equipment.  With the increase of emergency calls we have had the last few  years we have added a third ambulance.

>Rescue #3 / with 82185 miles,  will be used for basic non-emergency transport and transporting unit in an emergency.  

            >Rescue #2 / 37589  miles,  is our 4 wheel drive used  in the winter and as the back up unit.  

            >Rescue #1 / will be our primary ambulance.

            Our goal this year is to provide more training for our members, to provide exceptional emergency care to the community, and train with the Police and Fire Departments.  We will continue to work  with the Recreation Department in providing emergency care for their activities.  Brandon Area Rescue Squad will continue to provide emergency care for Otter Valley Union High School at football, wrestling, soccer, and field hockey games.   We provide our services on Government Day at Neshobe School, the Annual Raft Race, The Bluegrass Festival, the Fishing Derby, and other community functions when requested.  

            Our roster consists of 38 active members, 28 members are certified at the Emergency Medical Technician Basic level,  8 of which are IV Technicians,  6  Emergency Care Attendants and 4 Driver only members  with CRP certification. 

            Members spend many hours training to keep up skills and learning new techniques.  Retaining and recruiting members is a challenge in itself today.   With time required to be well trained and active in the organization it is very demanding.  Brandon is very fortunate to have this fine group of dedicated people who have made this commitment to the community.  They  work as a team to cover the Brandon area 24 hours 7 days a week.

            I would like to give a special thanks to the families of our members and their employers for allowing these dedicated members to answer emergency calls.  Without their understanding it would be very difficult for Brandon Area Rescue Squad to continue being a volunteer service.

             It is with great passion, pride, and comfort  that the Brandon Area Rescue Squad is able to provide service to our coverage area.   We will continue to train and broaden our skills to provide services to the best of our abilities to our community.

                        Thank you for your support,

                        Carol A. Bird, EMT-I, President

                                    Brandon Area Rescue Squad, Inc.