A group of concerned citizens is are leading a campaign to establish a rescue squad in the Adwolfe area. The idea is said to be gaining support in the area and is being lead by Thomas Bridge resident Sonya Strouth.

The proposal for the Adwolf Rescue Squad was brought before the Smyth County Board of Supervisors on January 13. The board said immediate action could not be taken during the meeting, but the proposal will be examined and will undergo further consideration.

Strouth said the need for a rescue squad in the Adwolfe area became evident to her family last month.   Strouth said she placed a call to 911 when her son went into convulsions as the result of a high fever.  A member of the Adwolfe Fire Department arrived at Strouth’s Thomas Bridge home within ten minutes of placing the call, but according to Strouth, the Marion Rescue Squad didn’t arrive for one hour.

Strouth said the long response time is not because the Marion Rescue Squad wasn’t prepared, but because of the large area the Marion squad has to cover.

Strouth says in the proposal, “Please don’t take me wrong. We are very thankful to the Marion Squad and its workers for the work they do, but in some cases time is the most important thing to a sick or dying person.” 

A rescue squad based in Adwolfe would have quicker response times to the area’s citizens and would have better knowledge of local roads, according to the proposed plan. The proposed rescue squad would cover all of the areas currently covered by the Adwolfe Fire Department.

Strouth said the proposed rescue squad is gaining support throughout the Adwolfe community. During Strouth’s proposal to the board of supervisors, she said the project had received 192 signatures of approval from Adwolfe residents. Strouth said there is a prospective piece of land where facilities could be built and building materials for the construction of project facilities have been pledged.   The proposed rescue squad would also benefit from fundraisers which supporters are planning.

“What we are asking for is not too far off base and is a very needed thing for our area,” said Strouth. Four things will make a rescue squad work in the Adwolfe area, according to Strouth, community involvement, donations, fund raising and hard work.

Charlie Harrington, Smyth County emergency services coordinator, said he supports citizens getting involved with community matters, but feels this proposal will face many challenges. Harrington says the proposal will face an initial equipment purchase expense and high operation costs. The proposed squad will also require an operations director and the state of Virginia requires a minimum number of trained EMT’s to offer their services, according to Harrington. The proposal will also need the approval of the board of supervisors.

   Smyth County Fire and Rescue Board will discuss the proposed Adwolfe Rescue Squad along with other issues on January 21.

Strouth invites anyone who wishes to help the proposed Adwolfe Rescue Squad become a reality to contact her at 780-5769. Those interested in taking EMT classes can receive more information by calling the Southwest Virginia EMS council in Abingdon at (276) 628-4151.