Central Lifesaving and Rescue Squad serves residents of southern Brunswick County, Virginia.  The squad is licensed for advanced life support (ALS) transport and transports to three local hospitals:  Community Memorial Healthcenter in South Hill, VA; Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center in Emporia, VA; and Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids, NC.  The squad provides mutual aid within Brunswick County and to bordering counties, including North Carolina.

The squad responded to 496 calls in 2005. 

APPARATUS

MEDIC 53
Medic 53 is a 1984 refurbished Type III Sentenal box mounted on a 1999 Ford E-450 chassis.  It is a Type III Ambulance licensed by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services as an ALS transport unit.  A portion of the funding for the re-chassis of this unit was provided by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services Rescue Squad Assistance Fund

MEDIC 52
Medic 52 is a 2007 Ford E-450 Type III ambulance manufactured by Osage Industries.  Funding for the purchase of the new unit was provided by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) and the Greensville Memorial Foundation. 

MEDIC 5
Medic 5 is a 1989 refurbished box mounted on a 2003 Ford E-450 chassis.  It is a Type III Ambulance licensed by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services as an ALS transport unit.  A portion of the funding for the rechassis of this unit was provided by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF). 

CRASH 5
Crash 5 is a 1996 Ford F-Super Duty Crash Truck. Tools on board of on Rescue 5 include: combination tool, cutters, set of rams, portable power unit for tools, Generac generator, dual hose reels. Two tools can be run off the truck at the same time, three if you include the portable generator.


SUPPORT 5
Support 5 is a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe and is licensed by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services as a non-transport ALS first response vehicle.

FUNDRAISING
Each year in September, Central Lifesaving and Rescue Squad mails it’s annual fund drive letter highlighting the activities of the squad for the past year and the goals of the squad for the upcoming year.  Each household in it’s service area receives a fund drive letter in the mail. This letter is available through this website as well. You can read this letter by following this link. (or you can save it to your computer by right clicking and selecting "Save Target As" option)

In addition to the annual fund drive, the squad hosts a boston butt, turkey breast, and stew sale Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Donation:  $20.00 each Pre-orders are highly recommended by calling 434-577-2151 or 434-577-2533.

HISTORY
Central Lifesaving and Rescue Squad was established on April 19, 1963 when a group of interested people met at Frank Lynch’s picnic area to organize a rescue squad for the community.  At the meeting, Clyde Delbridge was elected President, Paige Wright was elected Vice President, Tom Taylor was elected Secretary, J.W. “Dick” Jones was elected Treasurer, Frank Lynch was elected Captain, Leslie Clary was elected Lieutenant, and G.T. Wright was elected Director-at-Large.  In the Fall of 1963, Clyde Delbridge resigned as President and William “Bill” Ambrose was elected President at a special election.  On April 19, 1965, Central Lifesaving and Rescue Squad began building on the land purchased from Mrs. Renza Clary in 1964.

In 1963, the squad purchased an early model Cadillac hearse to be used as an ambulance.  At the present we have a fleet of three ambulances, one light duty crash apparatus, a first response vehicle, and four john boats.  Over 40 years have passed since the beginning of the formation of Central Lifesaving and Rescue Squad and many people throughout the years have given countless hours and dedicated their lives to help those in need.  Currently, approximately 25 volunteer members are certified as EMT-Bs, EMT-Is, NREMT-P, and Emergency Vehicle Operators. In addition to our volunteers, one career employee is stationed at our building during daytime hours to assist with weekday calls. 

Our goal is to provide the most advanced emergency medical care to the citizens of our service area.  In order to meet our goal, we participate in various training activities each year and encourage our members to be actively involved in continuing their education.  We also strive to acquire new equipment that will assist us in providing outstanding service to our citizens.  In 2006, CVRS responded to nearly 500 calls in its primary and secondary response areas which include all of Brunswick County and portions of Northampton and Warren counties in North Carolina. 

MEMBERSHIP
Central Lifesaving and Rescue Squad welcomes full, associate, and junior members to the squad family.  Applications are available at the squad building or from any squad member. 

In order to become a member, an individual must submit a membership application to the membership committee and a Criminal Background Check must be conducted on the individual.  Any current certifications or licensures must be submitted with the membership application.  The membership committee reviews applications and makes a recommendation to the membership to accept or deny the application.  All membership applications are voted upon at the monthly business meeting by the membership.

Types of Membership:
Full members are required to be 18 years of age and obtain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B), and Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) within one year of being admitted to the squad.  Full members are voting members of the squad. 

Associate members are required to be 18 years of age and required to obtain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in order to ride on the ambulance.  They are also encouraged to attend the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC).  Associate members are non-voting members of the squad. 

Junior members are 16 and 17 years of age and must have Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in order to ride on the ambulance.  Junior members are non-voting members of the squad.

Life members are a special category of members who have given unselfish and dedicated service to the squad for many years.  Most life members have over 20 years of continual service to the squad in various capacities.  Life membership is voted on by the life members.  Life members are voting members of the squad.

Download an application for membership. (Right click the link and select the option "Save Target As')