CARS: Carthage Area Rescue Squad

EMTs Help the Community through Commitment

On Thursday, Matthew Burr and five other members of the Carthage Area Rescue Squad came to speak with the W. Carthage Tech Club about their participation in the devastating fire that destroyed much of downtown Carthage on March 2. Matthew is serving an Internship with the Squad as part of his senior year at Carthage Central School; but he has been an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician for two years. He related that the main role of the squad is to provide immediate transport with life support skills to any injured persons. He and other members of the squad had a great deal of information for the students.

	Question: Why did you join the Rescue Squad? Answer: Well, it is kind of a family thing; my father joined in 1988 and my mother joined in 1992. My mom is now the head of the Squad. I started as an Explorer when I was 14. I wanted to help people like I saw my parents doing. I think I always wanted to be a member of the Rescue Squad. Question: Are there many members? Answer: We have 37 volunteers right now.
Question: What does the Rescue Squad do? Answer: The main role of EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians) at any accident scene is to provide immediate transport with life support skills. We (EMT’s) get advice from the doctors during transport or in the field. We can provide continuing education classes and train others. At the fire, our main job was to take injured to the hospital and to check out firemen when they took breaks to be sure they weren’t suffering from smoke or heat.
	Question: Do you have a particular memory of the fire? Answer: Yes, when one of the buildings fell - it was about ten after 9 when we heard this big bang. We were worried because there were a lot of people from the public standing around and they could have gotten hurt. It was a pretty scary sound. We also got really worried about the wind direction; if it had switched, we would have had some major problems.
	Question: Do you plan to keep doing this? Answer: Yes, I plan to move up in the levels in the Rescue Squad. I am also a fireman – EMT with the Natural Bridge Fire Department. Question: You said you were an Explorer; what is that? Answer: The Explorers are a group of people from 14 to 21 years old that get involved with the Squad to help and also make a decision about entering the medical field. They help us a lot. Question: Is it fun being on the Rescue Squad? Answer: It is exciting, fun, boring and sad.