|
Grand Isle Rescue Squad, Inc., is a non-profit emergency medical service for the towns of Grand Isle and North Hero. The service has two fully-equipped ambulances staffed by a dedicated and high-trained group of volunteers made up of Emergency Medical Technicians, experienced drivers and first responders – all on duty 24/7.
Grand Isle Rescue is licensed by the State of Vermont to provide both basic life support and advanced life support. Patients in need of hospital care are transported quickly and safely to either Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington (a Level One Trauma Center) or Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.
In addition to protecting the citizens and visitors of Grand Isle and North Hero, Grand Isle Rescue also maintains mutual aid agreements with South Hero Rescue, and Alburgh Rescue. If needed, Grand Isle Rescue can respond to needs in neighboring counties as well.
Support for the services of Grand Isle Rescue is provided by the generous contributions of the taxpayers of the two towns; by equally generous donations from the general population; and by the hard work of the Grand Isle Rescue Auxiliary, which holds three fund-raising events each year – a popular Strawberry Social and two well-attended pancake breakfasts.
More information can be obtained by contacting any Rescue squad member or contacting the organization’s president, Brian Welsh at 372-4758.
Donations can be sent to Grand Isle Rescue, Inc., PO Box 79, Grand Isle, VT 05458.
NEWS!!!!
GRAND ISLE RESCUE ADDS CAPABILITY
Grand Isle Rescue, serving the towns of Grand Isle and North Hero, has added significant new equipment to serve the emergency medical needs of its community. Deborah Benson, the squad’s Chief of Service, said, “while we have our two ambulances positioned near the center of our service area, we needed to have more capability near the ends of our two towns.”
Each volunteer on the squad has in their personal vehicles the equipment needed for most immediate emergencies before the ambulance arrives. Now the squad has positioned an additional Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) to the northern part of the area. “This will be significant when the need is far to the north,’ Benson added, “and will be readily available should the need arise.”
Benson noted that the squad plans to soon add still another AED for the southern end of the service area.
Equipment such as these AEDs are added to the squad equipment as funds become available. Recently over 300 people attended the popular Strawberry Social event at Pomykala Farms and left generous donations, thanks to a hard-working Grand Isle Rescue Auxiliary.
In addition to the strawberry event, the Auxiliary also holds two very popular pancake breakfasts at St. Joseph’s Church in Grand Isle on July 17 and August 14. Benson had praise for the work of the Auxiliary, “all of us appreciate their great work,” she added.
Grand Isle Rescue, a non-profit service, is staffed by 20 volunteers – 12 who live in Grand Isle and North Hero and 8 who live elsewhere but respond intermittently. Three new students are just finishing up training and testing. In addition to serving Grand Isle and North Hero, the squad also provides mutual aid when needed for South Hero, Alburgh and Isle LaMotte.
Rescue Squad Auxiliary
The Rescue Squad serves both North Hero and Grand Isle. In tax money, 60% of support comes from Grand Isle while 40% comes from North Hero. Folks in both towns can help in two ways: join the Auxiliary or organize a once a year fundraiser. If you can help in either of these ways, contact Sharon Croteau 372-5547 or Dorothy Smith 372-6975
Helpful Websites
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Emergency Preparedness & Response
|
