We strive to provide the best possible emergency medical care to the Virginia Tech community.

Description:
The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad was formed in 1969 to provide the best possible emergency medical care to the Virginia Tech community, as well as provide training and experience to those interested in emergency medicine. We are the oldest collegiate rescue squad of our kind in the nation. We currently have a roster of about forty members. These members are brought on the squad with no prior experience. We then train and educate them in our methods and procedures. All of our members go on to receive their Virginia State Emergency Medical Technician certification. Our division, within the Student Affairs department, is an entirely volunteer and student-run organization. All of our officers and administration are also volunteer, who treat their positions as full-time jobs. Each student-member volunteers a minimum of 20 hours a week. All of this is done in addition to normal class work.

The squad currently operates two Type III Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulances. This is supplemented by an ALS quick response Chevy Tahoe SUV. In addition to these front-line vehicles, we have multiple support trailers. Our Mass Casualty Trailer has enough supplies to handle thirty patients. These supplies are used for incidents where our normal amount of equipment is not substantial. We also have a Special Operations Trailer. This trailer houses equipment for special situations and technical rescues. This includes a 4x6 ATV with a gurney attachment, a bike unit, supplies for rope-rescue, and supplies for medical standbys. We are looking forward to receiving a new ambulance in the next few months. We are also excited about the prospect of Virginia Tech constructing a public safety building. This new building will house the police department and our rescue station.

The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad is primarily funded by the campus health clinic, however a significant portion of our budget comes from donations from individuals. We respond to approximately 900 calls per year. This does not include the medical emergencies at football games, where we have an elaborate in-stadium command and response setup. Virginia Tech Rescue has supplied emergency medical services to the Virginia Tech community for forty years, and we only hope to supply the same level of professionalism and dedication for the rest of Virginia Tech’s future.

Contact person: James Downing, President, (phone), (email)

Address:

Barger St. Blacksburg, VA 24061 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.rescue.vt.edu