If you enjoy volunteering in our community and get satisfaction from helping others, consider volunteering with the Shelburne Rescue Squad. Highlighted below is just one of many volunteer opportunities available to you: the position of ambulance driver.

The ambulance driver is responsible for safely transporting fellow volunteers and patients from the injury site to the hospital for medical care and attention. Defensive driving and a keen sense of anticipation are important skills that are stressed and developed during driver training. Based upon drivers' existing skill sets, training may take approximately 4-6 months to become certified. Training includes developing a working knowledge of radio use and protocols.

Another responsibility of the driver is to develop hands on knowledge of all the equipment and supplies maintained on the ambulance. It is critical that the driver is able to access and retrieve materials quickly from the ambulance when requested by other members of the crew to better serve the patient. An in-depth knowledge of the equipment, supplies, and their location on the ambulance is a very important element in the squad's coordinated effort to address patient needs quickly.

There is a structured training program and a checklist of skills and equipment that must be completed before a volunteer will be given the responsibility associated with the position of ambulance driver. All the training you need to develop the skills to be an ambulance driver will be provided to you through Shelburne Rescue.

David Schmidt, who is now in the driver training program with Shelburne Rescue, enjoys emergency services and feels that his volunteering is very beneficial to the community. When asked why he volunteers, he stated, "I grew up in Shelburne since I was five and it's a great way to give back and a good way to serve the community." Another driver, Wendi Turner, states, "My dad was a firefighter and helped teach classes. I joined the rescue squad after college and have been doing it ever since. I find it extremely satisfying."

For more information about this position and other volunteer opportunities with the Shelburne Rescue Squad, please call the business office at 985-5125.