Colchester Rescue Squad

What Is Colchester Rescue?

The Colchester Rescue Squad (CRS) is a Town-funded, primarily volunteer ambulance service licensed by the Vermont State Department of Health to provide emergency care and transportation of the sick and injured. CRS operates two fully-equipped ambulances and covers the Town of Colchester except the Route 15 corridor, which is covered by Saint Michael's Rescue.

The Colchester Technical Rescue Team is an adjunct to the emergency medical component of CRS that provides technical ice, water, rock, and dive rescue services. CRS operates additional vehicles for this function, as well as a small, inflatable Zodiak boat.

 How Is CRS Funded?

CRS receives funds from four sources:

• Insurance: CRS bills the insurance company of all patients transported.
• Town of Colchester: The Town supports the operation of CRS from its general budget through tax revenues.
• Donations: CRS receives donations that are utilized to purchase equipment and training materials not provided for in the annual operating budget.

 If CRS Is A Volunteer Agency, Why Is There A "Personnel" Part Of The CRS Budget?

CRS is a 95% volunteer organization. Personnel are paid a nominal amount to provide reimbursement for expenses. Members receive $10 per night or wekend dayshift (6 p.m. - 6 a.m.), $25 per weekend day shift (6 a.m. - 6 p.m.).

Colchester Rescue has been a totally volunteer organization since its inception in 1961. We hired one full-time EMT for weekday daytime coverage in November 1998, and hired a second full-time EMT in March 1999, and a third in 2000. In addition to providing the kernel of daytime coverage for the Town, these individuals have administrative and community education responsibilities.

 What Constitutes A CRS Emergency Crew And How Will I Fit In?

An emergency crew on the ambulance comprises 3-4 people. One person on each call is designated the Crew Chief, and is responsible for the smooth management of the call, communication with the hospital, and direction of patient care. Before acting as a crew chief, individuals are trained in this function, have call experience, and have a demonstrated ability to perform under pressure.

 How Much Time Do I Have To Give?

While we are sensitive to the needs of rescue personnel with regards to their families, and try not to take people away from other responsibilities unnecessarily, membership on Rescue requires a fair amount of time. This time commitment is divided into duty shifts, training, and meetings.

Most members of the squad are assigned to an evening crew which is responsible for coverage from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on one night per week. Each crew comprises 4-5 people and is supervised by a Crew Captain. The seven evening crews and day crew rotate to cover Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., so that each crew covers one of those days every four weeks.

Most training occurs on the crew level during regularly assigned crew shifts. CRS holds squad training on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.

 What Facilities Are Available At The CRS Station?

When on duty, individual CRS members must remain within a mile of the station or the crew must remain together as a crew. The station is divided into three general areas:

• Living Quarters: This area comprises a living room, dining area (with table and chairs), fully functional kitchen, bathroom with a shower, and two bunkroom (with three beds in each). On-duty crew members are required to sleep at the station. The living quarters also contain the bulletin board with general information and squad mail boxes.
• Training Room: A training room is attached to the living quarters and garage. This room is used for squad meetings and training classes. A computer is also in this room and may be used by any squad member.
• Garage: The two ambulances, technical rescue vehicles, and Zodiak inflatable boat are housed in the garage. Equipment and crew lockers are also in the garage.

 What About Equipment and Uniforms?

CRS provides a protective jumpsuit and leather gloves for all members. For additional protection, each ambulance also carries a helmet and bunker coat for each crew member on board. After a six-month probationary period, members may be issued additional equipment - such as a portable radio, pager, jump kit, additional uniforms, and a new bunker coat.

 How Does The Dispatching System Work? How Will I Be Notified Of Calls?

Calls to 911 are picked up at the 911 call center in Williston and then transferred to the Colchester Police Department, where the dispatcher gets the relevant information and "tones" out the call on our paging system. The dispatcher will notify the crew of the nature and location of the call, and any other pertinent information.

CRS provides members who are strategically located in the town and have an appropriate experience level with a radio and/or jump kit so that they may "first respond" to a call and initiate emergency care. New squad members will always be assigned to an on-duty crew and respond to calls on the ambulance.

 How Do I Know If I Can "Take It?"

You don't! No one knows how they will react to the various medical emergencies and pressure situations that one will encounter on Rescue. However, experience has shown that as people become trained to handle medical emergencies, the natural fear of being confronted with a potentially horrible situation recedes. The feeling that results from being responsible for saving a life is one that you will carry forever - and far outweighs the negative aspects of the job. Colchester is a small town and it is likely that you will eventually have an acquaintance as a patient!

All new CRS members go through a six-month probationary period during which time you are assigned to a crew with an experienced Crew Captain. This period of time provides the new member with an opportunity to slowly build a relationship with the squad and determine if the member likes this type of service. If you find out that you are not cut out for this type of service, there are, of course, no strings to your staying with the squad.

 How About Liability - Can I Be Sued?

As volunteer workers, the Vermont Good Samaritan law provides protection against liability (other than gross negligence) for any person rendering emergency medical care and who is certified by the State to do so. Even so, the Town of Colchester carries a $1,500,000 malpractice insurance policy for the squad that covers all members.

 What Kind Of Training Do CRS Members Have?

CRS members are trained and certified at the following levels:

• Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B): Basic life support
• Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate (EMT-I): Advanced life support and intravenous therapy

Current EMT courses are taught using the national EMT-Basic (EMT-B) curriculum. The EMT-B course is a 100-hour course taught two-three times each year at the University of Vermont. Topics included are basic first aid through use of automatic external defibrillation (AED). The EMT-I course (an additional 60 hours) is also periodically taught, and topics here include use of epinephrine, Nitro, Aspirin, Albuterol, Glucagon, as well as Iv fluids.

EMT-B training will be paid for by the member and reimburesed after the six month probabtionary period. All advanced training is paid for by CRS. Most of these courses are taught in the evening, with an occasional Saturday session.

 How Do CRS Members Maintain Their Knowledge And Skills?

Providing quality emergency medical care requires an ongoing commitment to the learning of new techniques and the maintenance of previously learned skills and knowledge. All CRS members are required to train at the crew level; training aids at the station include manikins, video tapes, journals, and textbooks. In addition, members are required to attend monthly meetings for squad training, where outside experts are often brought in.

Vermont State Department of Health regulations require a certain level of annual training for EMT recertification. EMTs must take written and practical tests for recertification every two years.

 What About AIDS, Hepatitis, And Other Infectious Diseases?

Infectious airborne and blood-borne diseases are a reality for today's emergency medical services worker. While the infected population in Vermont is relatively low, we do deal with patients who have AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. These patients get the same level of care as any other patient.

To lower the risk of exposure to blood-borne and airborne pathogens, all protective clothing as recommended by the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA), including latex gloves, plastic eyeshields, gowns, and shoe covers, are carried on the ambulance.

The squad has detailed Infectious Disease Control procedures. In addition, the squad's Infection Control Officer has the responsibility to provide new members with appropriate information about infectious diseases and to act as a liaison between squad members and the hospital in cases of infectious disease exposure.

Hepatitis B is probably the greatest risk that we face. Fortunately, there is an inoculation for Hep B. All new members are offered this inoculation at squad expense, which is a three-shot series (the second and third shots are taken one month and six months after the first shot, respectively).

 How Do I Get More Information?

Still interested? Good! If you would like membership information, you can call the station at 802-655-3555; dropping a note to P.O. Box 55, Colchester, VT 05446; sending e-mail to the Colchester Rescue Membership Committee; or contacting any member of Rescue. You can also get a membership application form to print, fill out, and mail in.