"Rescue Day 2016"

Mark your calendar for the next Rescue Day, to be held Saturday, October 7, 2017, in conjunction with the Taste of Bethesda, the outdoor food festival held just blocks from the Rescue Squad.

Overcast skies and intermittent showers failed to keep visitors away from the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad’s free annual "Rescue Day" open house on October 1. Rescue Day 2016 drew 1,000 visitors for tours of the station, demonstrations of lifesaving rescue and medical equipment, and fire and rescue safety information for all ages.

Inside the Squad's cavernous engine room, visitors explored the Squad's newest ambulances; learned about the Squad's lifesaving services; received free junior firefighter hats, balloons, and other giveaways; and viewed a model train display. Visitors also learned how they can help the Rescue Squad by volunteering and donating.

Outside, visitors viewed one of the Squad's huge rescue trucks, fire engines and trucks from a neighboring fire department, police vehicles, and "Rescue 15," the Squad's historic 1972 Cadillac ambulance (restored by the Squad's own Alumni Association). In the back parking lot, a Rescue Squad crew used advanced lifesaving tools to cut the roof and doors off a car within minutes of arriving at a simulated vehicle collision with a patient trapped inside. Kids enjoyed what has become a favorite hands-on activity during Rescue Day: using a fire hose to put out a simulated fire. On the front lawn of the station, kids enjoyed playing in a moonbounce.

More than 60 Rescue Squad volunteers–EMTs, Paramedics, and Firefighters who serve the community–enjoyed meeting the public, providing tours and demonstrations, and teaching kids about fire and safety issues.

The Rescue Squad would like to thank the following fire/rescue departments and organizations for appearing at Rescue Day 2016 and for their generous assistance:

Alumni Association of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad

Maryland State Police

Montgomery County Police

National Institutes of Health Fire Department

Northern Virginia NTRAK Model Railroaders (NVNTRAK)