Collegiate Times

For the first time in the organization's history, the Rotary Club of Blacksburg named an entire group its Citizen of the Year when it honored the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad for its service in 2008.

The Rotary Club of Blacksburg, established in 1979, commits itself to the community. Since 1990 the club has annually chosen a Citizen of the Year.

"What we're looking for are folks who exemplify the Rotary model of 'Service above self,'" said Tom Loflin, chairman of the vocational services committee for the Rotary Club. "We as a club really appreciate the rescue club for what they do for our community."

The club looks to rescue squads and police departments for nominations each year.

Neil Turner, emergency services coordinator for Montgomery County, nominated the Tech Rescue Squad.

"They've done a great job for people on campus," Turner said. "I just felt like the squad certainly met that criteria, that by definition they serve above themselves."

The Rotary Club uses a "4-way test" to distinguish winners: they encourage the truth, they are fair to all concerned, they build goodwill and better friendships, and are beneficial to all concerned.

 "They're such a unique group of individuals," Turner said. "The activities of April 16 showed their professionalism; they just did a tremendous job then. Not just that day, everyday."

Turner nominated the squad in November 2008 and the award was presented on January 22 during a Rotary Club luncheon. Members of the squad were present, as well as Tech's President Charles Steger and Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum.

"The squad is all student volunteers, but there is a lot of administration work and leadership they rely on with the Tech administration, and we're very glad they came to support the squad also," Loflin said.

"We made sure to thank them for their support," Tech Rescue Captain Matt Johnson said. "We wouldn't be able to do a whole lot for the community if we didn't have those folks backing us up.

During the luncheon, Turner spoke to the attendees, as did Johnson.

As the oldest student-run rescue squad in the nation, the award comes at the same time as the Tech Rescue Squad's 40th anniversary.

Loflin applauded the camaraderie between members, not only current members, but also the members who graduated. He pointed to the fact that alumni of the squad regularly come back to the team, and some have been mentors to current squad members.

"A lot came back on April 16, to help out or to console the crew members," Loflin said.

The Tech Rescue Squad provides emergency medical care to the Tech community as well as provides CPR certification classes. Rescue squad members put in between 20 and 40 hours a week, depending on the position held on the squad.

"What we really try to do here is give a lot of time to serve the university and community," said Tighe Marrone, the squad's President. "'Ut Prosim' is in our logo and we do try to embody that. It was a real big honor for us to have them say that we're doing a pretty good job."

Johnson said the squad is "constantly involved in continuing education and increasing certification to be able to provide the highest level of care available in the state of Virginia to the community at Virginia Tech."

The captain finds the group honor fitting for the squad.

"It goes to show that our organization really doesn't succeed just by the efforts of one person; it's really a group effort," Johnson said. "Everybody working together, identifying the need, and closing the gap to make it happen."