Community Rescue Service benched its rescue squad at the end of the year as the nonprofit tries to be more efficient and responsible with its staffing and financing, Assistant Chief Robert Buck said.
More emergency-service companies in the community now have a rescue squad or carry similar tools to that carried on the vehicle, and CRS’ call volume for the vehicle has decreased, Buck said.
A rescue squad is a “big toolbox on wheels,” carrying equipment and tools firefighters need at auto crashes and fires, Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co. President Gary Farrell said. Equipment on such vehicles includes generators, lights, absorbent for fuel spills and the jaws of life to help extricate people who are entrapped after a crash.
With CRS no longer running its rescue squad, Farrell said there is more pressure for Funkstown to staff its squad on emergency calls.