GC Rescue/EMS reaches milestone
Published 5:02 pm Friday, May 17, 2024
- Gates County Rescue Squad was founded in 1964 by a group of gentlemen from the county who were concerned with the well-being of local citizens.
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GATESVILLE – Local residents are invited to celebrate EMS Week from May 19-25.
Founded in 1964, Gates County Rescue and EMS is now in its 60th year of service. To help celebrate its 60th birthday as well as the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week, citizens can donate dinners or desserts for the Gates County Rescue/EMS staff working the week of May 19-25.
Those wishing to make such donations can go online to Meal Train for Gates County Rescue & EMS or call 252-357-0388 (ext. 4).
Meals can be dropped off between 4-5 p.m. next week at the Rescue/EMS Building, located at 16 US 158 East, Gatesville. Desserts can be dropped off there at any time.
Gates County Rescue Squad, INC was formed on April 16, 1964 by a group of gentlemen from the county who were concerned with the well-being of the citizens of Gates County. This thought came about one day when a search was organized to locate a missing child. This incident ended in prompting for the group’s formation.
Until the organization of the Rescue Squad, all medical emergencies were transported by vehicles from local funeral homes.
At the squad’s initial meeting, there were 18 Gates County men present. Three men from the Colerain Rescue Squad were also present.
Kenneth Bryant was in charge of bringing the ideas of forming a squad in Gates County and he stated uniforms would cost approximately $13 each. All members would be required to take a First Aid Course and maintain it as long as he was a member.
Chester Jenkins was elected as the first President and Sam Daniels was chosen as the first Captain of the department.
The Squad formed five groups to cover the county, and a Sergeant was elected for each: Hayes Carter (Gatesville), Eugene Gray (Sunbury), L.E. Smith (Eure), H.L. Joyner (Hobbsville), and Mallory Buck (Gates).
During a Board of Directors meeting on Aug. 3, 1964, a motion was made and passed to accept an acre of land from Gladstone Morris at Eason’s Crossroads to build the Rescue/EMS Station. The station is still located there today.
About Cal Bryant
Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.
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