Nansemond Suffolk Rescue squad honored for excellence

Staff

Published Sunday, October 3, 2004

Special to the News-Herald

The Nansemond Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad and long time member W. Melvin Smith were honored by their professional peers during the 12th annual Tidewater EMS Family Picnic and Awards Program held at the Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk last week.

In front of 850 EMS Council members, composed of first responders from cities throughout Tidewater, emergency medical services members, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency department staff members and their families the NSVRS was named the Outstanding Emergency Medical Service

(EMS) Agency of the year, while W. Melvin Smith was honored with the Robertson C. Dailey Award for Excellence In Emergency Medical Services.

The awards acknowledge the contributions of both a vital volunteer organization in Suffolk and a true legend in Tidewater EMS.

In presenting the Outstanding EMS Agency Award to NSVRC's Rusty Hundley,

Daryl Clements, Regional Field Coordinator for Tidewater EMS Council, Inc. said,

"The Nansemond-Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad has been serving the citizens of Suffolk and the Tidewater Region for over 44 years.

This mixture of 70 volunteers and 30 Career part-time personnel insures that calls will be answered twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

"This is a major feat, serving Virginia's largest city, dating back to 1609 and having over 430 square miles to cover."

NSVRS staffs nine ambulances throughout the city along with a Regional Rehab Unit that responds to calls throughout the region.

"In 2003, the Squad answered over 7,500 calls," Clements continued.

"Volume is showing a sharp increase in 2004.

Average response time is five to six minutes and none greater than eight minutes.

Mileage last year was over 100,000 miles on their units."

"During Hurricane Isabel, the Nansemond-Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad went into high-gear to increase Medic coverage for the citizens of Suffolk," said Clements.

"Ambulances were stationed at key areas throughout the area, in addition to the units already staffed at various fire stations and EMS houses throughout Suffolk," he added. "Paramedics were placed on engine companies that had no medic coverage for their first due area.

"The squad consistently, during the two days before and the 10 to 12 days after the Hurricane while power was still out, provided oxygen to those whose tanks were running out by leaving a tank at their house while they took their tank back to the building and filled it and then returned it to them.

"They also assisted the Suffolk Fire Department to keep the main roads open by tree and debris removal with their chain saws.

Many man-hours were served by their personnel during this storm."

They had personnel in the Emergency Operations Center throughout the Hurricane to coordinate the Operations for EMS."

In presenting the Robertson C. Dailey Award Clements began, " Our final and most cherished category is the Robertson C. Dailey Award for Excellence in Emergency Medical Services. This award was established in honor of long time TEMS Associate Director Robertson C. "Flash" Dailey to recognize an individual who exemplifies outstanding dedication and services to the local, regional or state EMS system and who has demonstrated a commitment to a comprehensive, integrated EMS system."

In presenting the award to NSVRS's President W. Melvin Smith, the honoree's long and distinguished career was briefly recapped, "This nominee has served with the NSVRS since 1961, only a few months after its organization. In those 43 years of service, he has served in virtually every role within the organization. The growth of the organization was impressive and this nominee was there participating during each step of the process."

Continued the award "Over the years, this nominee has mentored and served as a role model for many providers just getting involved in EMS."

Besides a plaque Smith also received a gift of $100 from the Dailey family, in honor of his achievements in EMS.

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