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| Ironsides Volunteer Rescue Squad Inc. Co. 58 |
| Ironsides Maryland |
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| History |
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| WebSite is provided and maintained by www.20662md.com |
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| Celebrating 40 Years of Service to Our Community |
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| On August 29, 1964, citizens interested in organizing a volunteer ambulance service for the Ironsides, Nanjemoy, Pisgah, Welcome and Rison areas, met with Charles County Fire Chief, Johnny Wise, and on September 16, officially became Company 58. Land was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Milstead and the deed was obtained on November 14, 1964. A used Cadallac ambulance was purchased and while the building was being constructed, it was housed at the Ironsides Auto Sales, next door. The building, constructed by J. Harry Good, of Indian Head, was completed in 1965. The first siren was donated by Bryans Road Rescue Squad. In August of that same year, the ambulance hit a horse in Pisgah, enroute to a call and sustained a lot of damage, though no one was seriously injured. So, in 1966, Company 58 became a two ambulance service with the addition of another used vehicle. The first new ambulance was a 1969 International. This truck was purchased when gasoline was 36.5 cents a gallon for high test. Several years later, as the gas prices rose to incredible highs, that vehicle was converted into a "Light Duty Rescue" truck. In 1973, the first new Cadillac ambulance was purchased. In 1972, the helicopter service and Trauma Center made it a lot faster for critically injured patients to be transported, which was especially welcome for the remote areas of the whole county. In the mid seventies, the Fire Training Center started training Emergency Medical Technicians, and the first to receive their EMT status in Compay 58 were Connie and Skip Gilroy. The next training session was for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Technicians and Company 58 had four members qualify: Bill Currie, Bill Shelley, Marty Stinnett and Elaine Wedding. To greatly enhance the care given to patients, the first Mobile Intensive Care Unit was put into service inthe county in 1978. This unit was dispatched to aid any ambulance service, especially for heart attack patients and other life-threatening emergencies. A much needed addition to the squad building was started in the spring of 1979. In the early 1980's the Light Duty Truck was replaced by a Dodge and it was changed to "Special Unit 58". A very active Ladies Auxiliary donated some much needed equipment to the ambulances and also donated "Thumper 58", the latest, state-of-the-art mechanical CPR machine, in the memory of Paul Diggs. In 1988 and 1989, two new Ford ambulances replaced the aging Cadillacs and a new roof was put on the building. Since the company was growing and more space was needed to house all the equipment and vehicles, a new building was planned behind the old one. Land was purchased, trees cleared and leveling of the property was begun in Mary 1992. By October, members were planting shrubs around the new building. The old building was removed at the end of October. The present "Rescue 58" was added in 1995 and has evolved into a multi-patient trauma vehicle. During the aftermath of the tornado that struck La Plata, this vehicle was used to supply the continuing needs of the many ambulances that responded. It's special light tower was used to illuminate the entire intersection of Crain Highway and Port Tobacco Roads. It also responds to night accidents and fires where lighting and extra supplies may be needed. Two new Ford ambulances were bought in 1996, to replace the old. Utility 58 was added in 2002 and one of the 1996 ambulances was replaced with another Ford in late 2002. The other 1996 ambulance will be replaced this winter. In 2004, a Memorial Stone was placed at the front of the building, to honor those who were the Charter Members and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Since 2001, Company 58 has had a major annual fundraiser in the fall with it's Cow Chip Bingo. The space and the cows are donated for this hilarious function by Bill Bowie. Also, every Monday night, from 6-10 PM, the doors are opened, and the vehicles are removed for a Bluegrass Jam Session. Anyone who loves music, whether they want to play or just listen, are welcome. Food and drinks are provided for a donation. |
| A Brief History of Company 58 |
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