April 27 - May 3 is National Volunteer Week.  For over fifty years the Blount County Rescue Squad has had a clear understanding about the value and rewards of volunteering.  Its membership as well as its Board of Directors is made up entirely of volunteers who dedicate hours of time to preparing for and responding to the needs of the community as well as administrative work. 

 

Recently the Squad received funds from a Community Enhancement Grant and purchased swiftwater equipment which will adequately protect the volunteers from hazards as well as enhance their capabilities in the swiftwater rescue operations in areas such as Townsend and Blount County within the Smokey Mountain National Park. 

Squad members are also taking time to attend ongoing Leadership & Management Training made possible by grant from the Alcoa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Alcoa Aluminum, Inc. 

 

In addition to providing customary emergency services such as vehicle extrication, first response medical response and assistance to residents who find themselves having difficulty getting around in their home, other recent activities of Squad members have included training William Blount high school students to perform CPR as well as teaching Exposure Control classes and of course, the 15 hour long rescue of a dog from a small tunnel on Martin Mill Pike.

 

Members donate in excess of 25,000 hours of their time per year and the rewards vary.  Each member has some personal motivation to help their community and have found a place to fulfill just that with the Blount County Rescue Squad.  Many times the only reward received are a thank you and personal satisfaction.  Anyone interested in volunteering time or skills, please feel free to contact Chief Tommy Bowers or Captain Patrick McGinley. 

 

The Squad is also currently developing public education programs to assist in raising the community's awareness for public and personal safety.