Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics don’t get much recognition for what they do each day. Whether covering a high school football game or answering a 911 call for emergencies such as a car accident, fire, medical trauma or birth of a baby, the men and women of area rescue squads respond 24/7.

According to veteran Kilmarnock-Lancaster Rescue Squad volunteer Sonny Thomas, the service program started long before there was a hospital in the area or a 911 emergency call system. It began when 17 citizens started an all-volunteer program and were trained in advanced first aide. They responded to calls for medical assistance through area doctors such as the squad’s first medical director, Dr. A. B. Gravatt.

A 1957 Pontiac station wagon was converted into the county’s first ambulance and was used to transport patients to a doctor’s office or drive them to MCV Hospital in Richmond.

“Today the county supports the squads by supplying some paid EMTs,” said Thomas, “but all the equipment, vehicles, buildings and all medical supplies come from fundraising in the community.”

Lancaster chief of emergency services Christina Hubbard said today’s responders are state certified whether paid or volunteer.

“The volunteer fire departments and rescue squads are essential parts of the communities they serve,” she said. But she adds the county “has had to increase the use of paid EMS providers because of a shortage of volunteers” in upper Lancaster.

Chief Hubbard also brought in state leaders in EMS programs to help in recruitment training and revitalize the squad.

County supervisor Wally Beauchamp called the county responders “top notch professionals.” But he admitted the training can be very expensive. Coupled with the bad economy, he said the county is facing a volunteer recruitment shortage that has become a national problem.

If citizens have an interest in joining, the squads are willing to pick up the cost of classes, said Everett Walker, a seasoned EMT with a career spanning 21 years. Walker said his wife and mother are on the squad. All are paid, and also volunteer for Upper Lancaster.

“It’s easier to get volunteers at the fire department. There’s not as many certifications and (state) mandates,” he said.

According to Walker, volunteers as young as 16 can be accepted into the program and earn basic certification as an EMT. While they can’t be the attendant in charge, they can assist “enhanced” and “intermediate” level EMTs. At the age of 18, they can take additional classes to qualify for the next level, he added. He invites people of any age to join, saying many of the volunteers are retirees.

Trish Newsome, a nationally registered paramedic, encourages energetic retirees to join the EMT program.

“The squads that have problems (with finding enough volunteers), have the younger volunteers. But they have to work during the day,” she said.

The county has two squads—Kilmarnock-Lancaster and Upper Lancaster. Each is a volunteer organization which must raise all the funding for their squad building, crash truck and three ambulances, each costing $150,000 before emergency equipment is added. While the county makes a contribution to the Kilmarnock squad, the lack of volunteers at Upper Lancaster resulted in the funds being used to offset some of the costs associated with hiring paid staff. However, each squad receives a quarterly stipend from the county to cover mileage.

“Most of our funding comes through the generosity of the community,” said Newsome, who is paid and also volunteers at her local squad in Northumberland.

Money is raised through an annual fund drive letter, car washes and bake sales, said 26-year EMT veteran Pam Walker, Everett’s mother.

Pam Walker said she enjoys the job because she likes helping people. She noted a diversity of calls that range from delivering a baby to holding someone’s hand in their final hour.

“And everything in between,” added Newsome.

“Some people just want you to talk to them,” said Pam Walker. “We have a program called Senior Preparedness for people over 65. If we’ve transported them to the hospital, we’ll make follow-up visits to their home to check on them. It’s great to be out there helping people. It makes you feel good.”

While the volunteer firemen in the community occasionally give them a helping hand by driving the ambulance, they say they need volunteers to survive.

“Volunteers are the core of the Northern Neck rescue squads,” said Newsome. “Always has been. Always will be.”

Citizens can also help the organization by supporting their fundraisers, adds Pam Walker. “We’re usually in front of Walmart.”

Chief Hubband emphasized the rescue squads “provide an invaluable service to the citizens of Lancaster County.”

But for EMTs like Everett Walker, he says he does it because “it’s an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. If we weren’t there, that person might have died.”