On Tuesday, April 8th, 2025, A Commendation: RECOGNIZING THE SPOTSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY was presented to our agency.

WHEREAS, the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad (SVRS) has been providing essential, lifesaving services to the people of Spotsylvania County for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, in October 1974, the Spotsylvania County Women’s Club and Dr. Paulino Sambat, began recruiting volunteers to establish the SVRS with Mr. William Billingsley, a member of Fredericksburg Rescue Squad, scheduling the first training courses and developing an organizational structure, becoming the Squad’s first president; and

WHEREAS, charter members of the Squad, included A. Miller Arritt III, Phyllis Bartley, Francis C. Boggs, Shirley P. Boggs, Harry Byies, Stephen Cloutier, Maria Czemez, B. Richard Garland, Shelia Wolfe, Bernice Hawkins, Kathleen H. Howard, Russell L. Howard, Robert E. Landrum, Eric Prasse, Mary Price, Richard Rhoades, J. David Satterwhite, Donald R. Shelton, Mary Steckler, Stuart L. Taylor, Virginia J. Taylor, Ernest L. Thaxton, and Bryant S. Williamson; and

WHEREAS, Volunteers began running calls out of a garage donated by the Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department using a converted Chevrolet station wagon as an ambulance; and

WHEREAS, the Squad ran about 100 calls during its first year of existence, eventually running thousands of calls every year utilizing state of the art ambulances and equipment as the County population rapidly grew; and

WHEREAS, the Squad not only provided critical lifesaving services but also supported educational and other programs like 911 for Kids, local EMT-B high school courses and regional training opportunities, donating supplies to the regional training facility; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 the SVRS received the Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Agency; and

WHEREAS, when Spotsylvania County went to career staffing for EMS services, SVRS Volunteers seamlessly integrated into the combined system working alongside career personnel providing the same high quality lifesaving services; and

WHEREAS, after more than 50 years, SVRS under the leadership of Chief Kimberly Madison, Captain Kelly Barill, Captain Torri Lunceford, and Lieutenant Jessica Allen continue to provide critical EMS services at all stations; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors hereby commends the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad for their dedicated service to Spotsylvania.