On Thursday evening, June 18, 2009, the East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad Juniors held their Annual Election of Officers Meeting. The following squad personnel were chosen by their peers to serve the rescue squad during the upcoming 2009/2010 fiscal year. Congratulations to everyone, and may your year in office be successful and fun! These new Junior Executive Board Members can now be reached through their squad e-mail address.
In addition, the Junior Squad selected from the Senior Membership, the following two (2) members to act as their advisors and mentors in all areas as related to the rescue squad. If any potential junior member or their parents have any administrative or operational questions, please feel free to contact these senior squad members. They are:
Junior Squad Member, Laura Heltzel, has recently been elected by her fellow peers as the new CHIEF of EMS for Lynchburg College. Laura, shown below in her chief's uniform, has been with East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad since 2003, and was the Assistant Chief and Training Coordinator at Lynchburg College during the past several years. In addition, Laura was the recipient of the Trula P. Peach and the Julian Stanley Wise Scholarships through the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS) in 2007. Please link to our "Junior Squad" page for additional information on these scholarships. Congratulations, Laura!
Brandon Jenkins, a member of our JUNIOR SQUAD from East Hanover VRS was seen at our building on Walnut Grove Road, showing students from Laurel Meadows Elementary School, Stonewall Jackson Middle School, and Cold Harbor Elementary School the squad's equipment and gear. Here are a few photos from that visit, including a group photo of the students, and Mr.Aaron Andrejczah of Stonewall Jackson Middle School, transforming himself into a firefighter-to-be. Aaron, your membership application is waiting, and Brandon, you did a great job!
Our JUNIOR PROGRAM provides the squad leadership for the future. You may enter our Junior Program at the age of 16. Although due to rules and regulations, those Juniors ages 16 and 17 cannot spend the night at the building, their help during the remainder of the day and night are invaluable to the squad. At age 18, a Junior is allowed with proper permission, to stay at our building and run those nightly calls. Don't worry, parents. East Hanover VRS adheres strictly to all these rules, enforces them constantly, and all Juniors must maintain those good grades while being part of our squad.
At East Hanover, the education of our Junior members is a continuous process and extremely important for the squad's success. All junior members that volunteer for us are required to be certified Emergency Medical Technicians - Basic level within a year of starting their membership. They have the option of being trained as an ambulance driver, and becoming an Attendant-in-Charge while running calls. If it is possible, a junior can continue past EMT-Basic certification, and continue their schooling to become a Paramedic. The Rescue Squad (through our beloved community) pays for this education, which helps our younger members become doctors and nurses in the future. The East Hanover Juniors have their own Board of Directors, Membership Coordinator, and hold regularly scheduled meetings. They are directed by our Junior Captain of Operations, Mr. Travis Jenkins. Travis can be reached through our Operations Department at juniorcaptain@ehvrs.org.
Several years ago, East Hanover's Executive Board voted to award one deserving student from each of the three local high schools - Lee Davis, Hanover, and Atlee, an annual award of $1,000.00 to continue their education into medicine (emergency or otherwise) upon graduation. The rules and regulations of this award are quite strict and left up to the schools, but many junior members have used the award for continuing their education. The award is named after one of the squad's most loyal and dedicated members - The Milton Throckmorton Award. Milton himself, was dedicated to the enhancement and continuation of the education of our young members. If you are a Junior seeking more information on this Award, please see your school's Guidance Counselors.
In addition to the Milton Throckmorton Award, our juniors have multiple scholarships to apply for as graduation nears. The Virginia Assocation of Volunteer Rescue Squads has a complete listing for all scholarships for deserving juniors who meet the respective criteria. You will find applications to download and complete for the Kimball L. Glass Memorial Scholarship, the Julian Stanley Wise Memorial Scholarship, the Fred E. Weymouth II Scholarship, the Garry Clatterbuck Scholarship, and finally the Trula Peach Scholarship. Siimply follow the directions for each Scholarship.
To connect to the VAJVRS website for the Virginia Association of Junior Volunteer Rescue Squads, CLICK HERE for additional information.
The East Hanover VRS Juniors are a vital part of our squad. It is because of them, that service to our Community is constant and of such high quality. Here are some photos of our younger members in action!
Giving tours to the citizens of East Hanover. Here, Brandon shows off our Crash Truck at East Hanover's building. Tours are available upon request.
Standing by at the Rugby Events. Three times a year, East Hanover provides medical services for the James River Rugby Ass'n. events at Pole Green Park.
Part of the Bike Team during the Strawberry Faire. Here we see Laura Heltzel and Brandon Jenkins on a well deserved break during the Faire.
Part of the team at the Hanover Tomato Festival. Juniors work with the senior squad during this huge Hanover event.
Giving tours to the citizens of East Hanover. Here, Brandon shows off our Crash Truck at East Hanover's building. Tours are available upon request.
Standing by at the Rugby Events. Three times a year, East Hanover provides medical services for the James River Rugby Ass'n. events at Pole Green Park.
Part of the Bike Team during the Strawberry Faire. Here we see Laura Heltzel and Brandon Jenkins on a well deserved break during the Faire.
Part of the team at the Hanover Tomato Festival. Juniors work with the senior squad during this huge Hanover event.