A Little About Us
We have been providing volunteer emergency care to the citizens and visitors to LaVale, Maryland, and the surrounding communities of Allegany County since 1969. Our equipment includes two Advanced Life Support (ALS) certified ambulances and one Basic Life Support (BLS) certified chase car. We provide emergency medical services to the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
In 2016, we received 914 calls for service. This is an increase of nearly 45 percent from 2013 when we received 636 calls for service. 2013 was our lowest year since 1981. In 2009 we reached our highest call numbers ever -- over 1,100. However, many of the calls from that year and earlier were fire standby related. Due to changes in response policies in the county, we generally do not respond to initial alarms for fire calls unless there is a life safety issue. This means that more of our calls are genuine calls that involve patient contact of some kind. Over the years we have seen our membership numbers rise and fall. At one time we had more than 150 active members, whereas now we average less than 30. We are constantly searching for new members to help us fulfill our mission to provide service to the community.
In addition to just responding to calls, members spend time at the station on standby and performing many other collateral tasks. In 2016, the total hours given by our membership was over 17,500! That is approximately 2 years!
Our rescue squad is authorized to operate and our providers are certified by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). The training of our EMTs is conducted by the University of Maryland - Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI).
If you are interested in learning more about the history of the rescue squad, we invite you to stop by our station to view our archives of photographs, newspaper articles, and a variety of other historical information.
The Need Arises
In the late 1960s, it was realized that there was a desperate need for a rescue squad to provide emergency services beyond what was already being provided by the LaVale Volunteer Fire Dept. The 1960s was really the beginning of what we know as modern EMS across the US, with the first rescue squad arising in Roanoke, Virginia. By 1969, community members had come together in LaVale to form the LaVale Volunteer Rescue Squad. By the end of the year, the rescue squad would answer 61 calls for service.
Our First Rescue Call
While we only provide EMS services today, our name, LaVale Volunteer Rescue Squad, harks back to the days where we provided rescue services in addition to ambulance services. Today, our sister agency, LaVale Volunteer Fire Department, provides rescue services to our area.
Our Station
Our first station
While location and size has changed over the years, our beginnings were on LaVale Avenue off Campground Road.
Move to present day location
In the 1970s, the rescue squad raised funds to purchase a Texaco Gas Station located at 977 National Hwy.
Expanding to fit
Shortly after acquisition of the Texaco Station, the building was expanded and a second floor was added. This added living quarters for the live-in program, a kitchen, meeting/training area, office space, and a living room.
In the 1990s, additional structure was added above the original Texaco Station to add additional training, office, and storage spaces.
Today
After years of fundraising and hard work on the part of our volunteers, in 2013 we began a large renovation and expansion of the station to what you see today. We are incredibly proud that we paid for 100% of this renovation and expansion without having to borrow any money.
Ambulance 371
Ambulance 371
Ambulance 371
Pictures coming soon!
Rescue 373
Ambulance 371
Ambulance 371
Ambulance 374
Ambulance 371
Ambulance 374
Ambulance 374
Ambulance 371 is a Lifeline Ambulance on a 2019 Ford F-450 chassis. It is certified as an Advanced Life Support Ambulance.
Rescue 373 is a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer upfitted for use as a chase vehicle. Rescue 373 is often used to provide additional personnel to scenes. It is certified as a Basic Life Support Chase Unit.
Ambulance 374 is a Lifeline Ambulance on a 2019 Ford F-450 4WD chassis. It is certified as an Advanced Life Support Ambulance.