Vermont First Responders, A Series:

Bennington Rescue Squad

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

All of us should be proud and grateful for the enormously important work done by first responders across the state of Vermont. In past Bernie Buzzes, we have examined the vital work done by firefighters and police officers. Today, we are going to look at what it means to be an Emergency Service Provider (EMS) in Vermont – focusing on the hard-working staff at the Bennington Rescue Squad.

When we think of EMS, or Emergency Medical Services, many of us picture an ambulance – speeding its way through the streets, sirens blaring, lights flashing.

Too often what we don’t recognize are the highly skilled, dedicated, and hardworking individuals who are behind the wheel. They are the first health care professionals on the scene of some of our most desperate moments. They provide emergency medical care and keep us stable and alive in the precious minutes it takes to get to the hospital. They also play a leading role in community health initiatives and are on the frontlines of so many of the crises we face – from the opioid epidemic to mental health challenges.

The Bennington Rescue Squad was first established in 1963. When they were just starting out, they were not the team of highly trained and paid providers that they are now. They were a group of volunteers who saw a need and stepped up to serve their community. More than 60 years later, they are still at it. And while much has changed, the squad’s dedication to their community has not. To my mind that is pretty remarkable.

Bennington Rescue Squad's first ambulance vehicle.

However, despite being an essential part of our health care system, EMS agencies across our state and country are struggling to get the staff, volunteers, training, funding, and resources that they need. It is time for that to change. I have introduced legislation that would address many of these issues for EMS and other first responders, and I am working hard to change things as quickly as possible. But more must be done.

If you are interested in getting involved with your local EMS, please click here. If you are interested in joining the Bennington Rescue Squad, you can learn more about their full-time crew positions, their paid apprenticeship program, their paid internship program, and volunteer opportunities by clicking HERE.

To all the Vermont EMS providers out there, thank you for your service.

Sincerely,