VIDEO: The Greene County Rescue Squad ended its service after 42 years. The Greene County Rescue Squad began operating in 1983. The founder, Butch Heath, worked as a paramedic when he saw the community needed a rescue squad. โIn those days, we didnโt have the capability of extracting people from the vehicles other than twisting them around anyway we could,โ Butch Heath said. โSo after a few years of being out, I realized it was something I could start.โ
The GCRS held a farewell ceremony on Saturday. Butch Heath was the first chief of the GCRS. His son, Jeremy Heath, was the last chief. He said the need for the rescue squad hasnโt been as great over the last few years. โOver time and years, rural fire departments have obtained the equipment and training that is necessary to do the things that we do, so the torch is being passed, basically,โ Jeremy Heath said.
The Western Greene County Fire Department is picking up the torch. Most GCRS members already work with the WGCFD. The GCRS equipment will be transferred to the fire department, too. Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder has worked with the GCRS as long as he has been with the Greene County Sheriffโs Office. He went from dispatching them to closing their chapter out with them at the ceremony. โThis group of constant professionals has dedicated 42 years of volunteering in our community to help those that were in need, and emergency needs at that, and so they really contributed to the community in so many ways,โ Snyder said.
During the ceremony, the GCRS reflected on the memories they made over the last 42 years. โThis was designed out of love for a community and wanting to serve others and make a difference in peopleโs lives,โ J. Heath said. โThe number of lives that have been impacted by this organization over the years is countless.โ Members who served with the GCRS, both present and former, were honored. K8โs own Chief Meteorologist Ryan Vaughn served with the GCRS for seven years. โItโs been an honor to serve this community, itโs been heartfelt, and we believe that this organization has served in the way that Jesus has called us to serve,โ Jeremy Heath said.
โIโm sure I may drop a tear with a smile because what this is all about and always has been is to be at a place to help people that we may be able to make a difference with in their lives, and itโs not stopping with our closure of the organization,โ Butch Heath said. โItโs transferring to a like organization with many of the same members.โ
