The Heart of Virginia has faced snowstorms, windstorms, home and brush fires and widespread power outages in the past few months alone. On the front lines of those events have been service members of area fire departments and rescue squads. Chief Dallas Tinsley, spokesman for the Prince Edward County Area Firefighters Association, offered an annual report that further highlights first responders’ involvement in the county.

“Last year we responded to 905 fire calls, 846 rescue calls. This is an increase of 139 rescue calls over our previous year,” Tinsley said. For the rescue squad, of 3,846 calls, “Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue responded to 3,242 of those in Prince Edward County.”

These numbers include days with many activities, including the windstorm March 1 that caused numerous trees to fall and widespread power outages, and non-emergency situations like checking and replacing smoke detectors. Tinsley noted that these numbers show a portion of a day in the life of a volunteer firefighter. For those in the rescue squad, Brian Butler, president of the Prince Edward County Volunteer Rescue Squad, said the squad transported 2,502 patients in 2017.

The records give striking evidence to the amount of work volunteers and career first responders impart to their communities. Area fire departments hosted a number of fundraisers, including pancake dinners and St. Patrick’s Day dances in the last week. Donations can be accepted during these events and any time of the year. Even giving a call to a rescue squad or fire department, asking what’s needed and taking time to potentially donate either financially or with other items could make the day of representatives in these departments.

We at The Herald commend you, members of the area rescue squads and fire departments, for your dedication and your drive to be on the front lines to help those in our communities. We also thank members of the community for your support to these departments.