VOLUNTEERS APPLAUDED IN "LETTER TO EDITOR" - DEC. 16, 2009 IN MECHANICSVILLE LOCAL
Below is a copy/paste reprint from a citizen's letter as submitted to the Letters to the Editor Section of the December 16, 2009 edition of the Mechanicsville Local. The link to the website is provided for your convenience as well. Volunteers, we thank you for all that you do!
Published: December 16, 2009 David Lint
Thanks to rescue squad
I would like to thank the volunteers of East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad No. 146 for responding so efficiently to my home on Tuesday evening, Nov. 24.
If it was not for their quickness and working together I might not be living today.
Thanks to Diane Fleming for keeping my wife calm.
I would like to thank our friends at Eastern Hanover Volunteer Fire Department for checking on my wife when she really needed them.
Please support our volunteer rescue squads and all of our volunteer fire departments. So often we forget that they and our Hanover County Sherriff’s Office are always at our service. Again, we would like to say a heart-felt thanks and gratitude to these fine people.
THE MEMBERS OF EAST HANOVER VRS MEET THEIR CHRISTMAS ANGEL - DECEMBER 14, 2009
Something exciting and wonderful happened at the East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad’s General Membership Meeting that was held at their building Monday evening, December 14, 2009. The membership of the rescue squad had very special visitors that night.
On June 24, 2008, a call was received at the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in Hanover County, VA. from a home on Crown Hill Road, and Ambulance 14-3 from the East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad was immediately sent to that location for a “Priority One – Cardiac Arrest – CPR in Progress.” In addition, the ECC also dispatched Medic 6 (Henry Fire Station) and First Responder 12 (Black Creek Fire Station) to the call on Crown Hill Road. Upon entering the home, volunteers Elizabeth C.”Christe” Lemon and Matthew T. “Matt” Combee found a female patient lying on the floor, not breathing and non responsive; with the husband performing proper chest compressions as instructed by ECC personnel via the 911 call. Christe took over the chest compressions while Matt secured all of the needed equipment from the unit, and hooked the AED to the patient. Upon the arrival of the first responders from Black Creek Station 12, Larry R. Leber, Donnie L. West, and Lee Metz, the team used the AED on the patient, analyzed the patient heart, and delivered an immediate initial shock. In addition, the team began to secure an airway for the patient using the King LT Airway. Medic 6 consisting of Stacy G. Reaves, Jason T. Williams, and Kelsey V. Foley had then arrived, and Paramedic Reaves immediately began advanced lifesaving techniques. As Stacy and Christe were finalizing the securing of the airway, they noticed that the patient was attempting to breath “around the tube.” It became evident to all that were in the room that perhaps the initial shock by the AED could possibly have worked. There was still much more work to do! Together, everyone working as a team, “packaged” the patient for transport, loaded the patient into Medic 6’s ambulance, performed additional advanced lifesaving functions, and transported the patient to Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, VA.
That patient is Nancy Minson.
On December 14, 2009 at the General Membership Meeting at East Hanover, Nancy and her husband, Steve, and son, Stevie, stood before the membership, alongside of Christe, Matt, Larry, Donnie, Lee, and Stacy to share hugs, laughter, excitement, tears, and two very simple words – THANK YOU!
At a meeting held in September of 2008 at East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad, in recognition of their services on that call on June 24, 2008, Christe Lemon and Matt Combee were awarded the American Heart Association Heartsaver Award. The other participants on that call received similar awards at their respective stations as well. The American Heart Association (AHA) realized that on that day in June of last year, a life was saved by a team of professionals that performed the proper techniques of CPR with an AED as taught by the AHA. When interviewed for this article, the volunteers stated that they didn’t have to talk to one another during the call as each and every member of the team that worked on Nancy knew what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. This is training at its best, and Nancy was a result of that training, and the protocols and procedures as established by the AHA! Proper CPR starts when the 911 call to the Emergency Communications Center was placed. The ECC prioritized the call at Crown Hill Road properly, and kept the family on the line while starting ambulance 14-3 “in route” to the home. Secondly, when the personnel from unit 14-3 arrived, CPR was already in progress due to the instructions being given by the ECC personnel to Nancy’s husband, Steve. The team takes their hats off to you, Steve!
It is quite rare when the volunteers of East Hanover, or any station whether they be paid or volunteer, get to meet their patients in a setting other than in the back of an ambulance. It seems that we meet our patients usually on one of the worst days of their lives. To see and hear about an outcome such as Nancy Minson, warms our heart and makes us feel that the many, many hours of training and practice that we perform for service to our community may save a life of one of its citizens. For that we are grateful and it is why we are here.
The TEAM of professionals re-unite with Nancy and her family one and a half years after a most wonderful life was saved!
Across the back row from left to right we find Matt Combee from East Hanover VRS, Stacy Reaves from Medic 6, Lee Metz, Donnie West, and Larry Leber from Black Creek Station 12. In the front row we find the Minson family of husband Steve Minson, our patient, Nancy Minson, and their son Stevie Minson. At the far right, we have Christe Lemon from East Hanover VRS.
Nancy, Steve, and Stevie with the TEAM standing beside them to the left and out of the photo, stand in front of the East Hanover membership to simply say THANK YOU!
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HONORS EHVRS VOLUNTEERS
The gentleman from Old Church, VA. displayed the classic signs of a pending heart attack. He was pale, cool, clammy, and sweaty. He called 911 about the chest pains he was experiencing, and volunteers from East Hanover VRS in Medic 143, and personnel from Engine #3 arrived on scene, identified the situation as a "load and go," and began the transport to Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, VA. However during the transport, something happened! This gentleman "coded." His heart had stopped! The crew from East Hanover consisting of Robert Fleming (driver), Lee Harvey (paramedic), and Cassandra Burton (assistant), and from Engine #3, Jason Kerrick (firefighter/paramedic), quickly shocked the patient, starting his heart again, bringing him back to life! Oh, what a SAVE!
Because of the quick action of these fine volunteers, following all protocols as established by the AHA, the American Heart Association proudly awarded all members of the crew and their unit, the heralded Heartsaver Award for a job well done. Each member as seen below received their own award from the AHA, and East Hanover was given an award for Medic 143 to proudly display on the walls of its building. Congratulations to everyone!
From left to right, the AHA Heartsaver Crew of Robert Fleming, Cassandra Burton, and Lee Harvey. Great job, folks!
EAST HANOVER VRS HOLDS CPR CLASS FOR ATLEE COMMUNITY CHURCH
On Saturday, August 29, 2009, East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad held a CPR/AED for the Professional Rescue Class for the Atlee Community Church (www.atleechurch.com). Pictured below are the students from that day who represent the church’s Elementary Ministries who are implementing an Emergency Preparedness Program, working together for the overall safety of their community. This great group of community citizens are currently concentrating on the children of their church, and deserve all of the help and recognition from the fine East Hanover citizens. Congratulations on a job well done! Pictured below in the front row (left to right) are Amber Cleveland, Amber Miller, and Harleigh Bentley. In the back row (left to right) we find Rett Alexander, Shane Miller, Cate Gravatt, EVHRS ASHI Instructor John Von Hagel, George Grove, Courtney Gravatt, and Tim Grove.
Atlee Community Church Elementary Ministries personnel assembled for the East Hanover CPR class on 8/29/09.We learned a great deal, had fun doing so, and everyone passed with flying colors!
EHVRS DOES A STAND-BY FOR RUGBY TOURNMENT - RECEIVES DONATION FROM ASSOCIATION
Saturday, July 25, 2009, saw the East Hanover Volunteers at Pole Green Park in Hanover County, VA in over 94 degree sweltering heat, providing emergency medical assistance for the RUGBY games as run by The James River Rugby Association. (CLICK HERE for their site.) For the past seven years, this Association has worked closely with our Rescue Squad to help all of their fine athletes participate during these very physical games. East Hanover VRS is proud to serve each and every year, and look forward to the next matches!
Seen here are the many volunteers that participated in the stand-by. In addition, you may see a few faces of potential new members. EHVRS says, "Welcome on board." Please come join our great organization!
George Durocher of the James River Rugby Association (right) is seen presenting a donation check to East Hanover VRS Treasurer Scott Stiff. George, thanks, and you run a terrific organization!
WALMART DONATES TO EHVRS DURING GRAND RE-OPENING CEREMONY
On Wednesday morning, July 8, 2009, the Walmart in Mechanicsville, VA held its Grand Re-Opening Celebration. This Walmart SuperStore has been a vital part of the Mechanicsville community for many years, and the East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad was very pleased and proud to accept their generous donation of $500.00 during the ceremonies that day. Working side-by-side in the community, the squad and Walmart partner for the betterment of all of the East Hanover citizens! Thank you, Walmart. You are the best!
Seen here, is the East Hanover VRS Webmaster, John Von Hagel, receiving the $500.00 donation check from the Walmart SuperStore.
For the East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad, it was a time to thank the community for all of their support during the past forty years. They said this THANK YOU in a most wonderful way by holding a celebration at their building on Saturday, May 30, 2009. The crowd was estimated at between 375 to 400, and had a beautiful day in which to enjoy the various festivities. Squad volunteers were present "in force" to assist our citizens, and show off our building, our equipment, our units, and most of all, our people. Our rich tradition and hertitage show that it is the people of the community and the squad working together that forms a strong bond that lasts for years and years. It is this bond that forms a tight family that seems to last forever within a community. No one had to speak about that bond on Saturday, May 30, 2009, but it could be strongly felt.
East Hanover welcomes their community. We look forward to the next 40 years!
Please enjoy these few photos from East Hanover's 40th Anniversary Celebration that was held on Saturday, May 30, 2009. More information on the event as well as many, many more photos can be obtained by contacting our Public Relations Department at publicrelations@ehvrs.org.
Early in the day, a local citizen makes a contribution to to East Hanover VRS. This money helps in maintaining your rescue squad, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
Raymond Garrett and Tick Tignor, both long time squad members, seem to be having a discussion perhaps even about the squad itself?
Our Extrication Team of Scott Stiff, Brandon Jenkins, and K. Stewart seem to be having some "fun" ripping apart that Pontiac. Note the full gear that they wear. Inside the car, one might find our Captain Tom Gurley!
Angel Von Hagel, senior squad member, reviews the slide show with EHVRS members, remembering the rich tradition of the squad.
Two of our dedicated volunteers Steena Ihnen and Vice President Megan Wilson stand at the Membership Table during the Anniversary event. Several applications were received that day!
Our Auxiliary table has always been a hit! Here we see raffle tickets being sold, and a lot of traditions and history being spoken and discussed!
The TEAM of professionals re-unite with Nancy and her family one and a half years after a most wonderful life was saved!
Nancy, Steve, and Stevie with the TEAM standing beside them to the left and out of the photo, stand in front of the East Hanover membership to simply say THANK YOU!
From left to right, the AHA Heartsaver Crew of Robert Fleming, Cassandra Burton, and Lee Harvey. Great job, folks!
Atlee Community Church Elementary Ministries personnel assembled for the East Hanover CPR class on 8/29/09.We learned a great deal, had fun doing so, and everyone passed with flying colors!
Seen here are the many volunteers that participated in the stand-by. In addition, you may see a few faces of potential new members. EHVRS says, "Welcome on board." Please come join our great organization!
George Durocher of the James River Rugby Association (right) is seen presenting a donation check to East Hanover VRS Treasurer Scott Stiff. George, thanks, and you run a terrific organization!
Seen here, is the East Hanover VRS Webmaster, John Von Hagel, receiving the $500.00 donation check from the Walmart SuperStore.
Early in the day, a local citizen makes a contribution to to East Hanover VRS. This money helps in maintaining your rescue squad, and for that, we are eternally grateful. 
Raymond Garrett and Tick Tignor, both long time squad members, seem to be having a discussion perhaps even about the squad itself?
Our Extrication Team of Scott Stiff, Brandon Jenkins, and K. Stewart seem to be having some "fun" ripping apart that Pontiac. Note the full gear that they wear. Inside the car, one might find our Captain Tom Gurley!
Angel Von Hagel, senior squad member, reviews the slide show with EHVRS members, remembering the rich tradition of the squad.
Two of our dedicated volunteers Steena Ihnen and Vice President Megan Wilson stand at the Membership Table during the Anniversary event. Several applications were received that day!
Our Auxiliary table has always been a hit! Here we see raffle tickets being sold, and a lot of traditions and history being spoken and discussed!
A family gets some information from Megan.