Article and photography by Fitz
Lead photo of Chaz Lowery, Lt. of Operations, and Dale Drescher, Recruitment and Retention Officer, tending to a patient
The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for man to see. -Felix Adler
While talking with the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad a few days ago I was reminded of Adler’s philosophy. Adler, a German American professor at Columbia University helped found and advance the Ethical Culture Movement. Often at the center of his philosophy was the importance of the compassionate deed from one man to another without the impetus being on a reward for the act. He believed that virtue must be a reward unto itself. Further, Adler was less concerned with one’s creed but rather, again, one’s deeds aimed at helping the betterment of man.
It dawned on me while Chaz Lowery (Lieutenant of Operations), Dale Drescher (Recruitment and Retention Officer) and Ellen McBride (Past Chief) spoke to me of coming together around a single purpose, as McBride put it, “To help the person in need in front of us”, that their faces would quite literally be the blazing torches those in need would see on their darkest of nights. Further, as Chaz detailed to me the age disparity and socioeconomic differences between those in the squad, it became clear that this volunteer team was not helping those in need as an extension of a common type of family rearing or religious background. No, they were in this squad, this “family” as Lowery put it, “ to provide hands on care for the living.”
John Doub, Chief, holds “J” hooks and chains used to help stabilize vehicles that have been in accidents.
If you chat with these guys for a few minutes you will hear both heartbreaking and uplifting stories they have experienced while volunteering their help to local people in Virginia Beach. John Doub (Current Chief) detailed for me gruesome and cautionary accounts of using the jaws of life while showing me some of the components and how they operate. Lowery on the other hand recounted the events and words of a young runner who he and his crew took quick action to save after the young man in 2012 collapsed crossing the finish line at the Shamrock marathon:
A young man crossed the finished line, leaned over on the guard rail and collapsed right in front of our eyes. After a rapid response and incredible team effort, we were able to revive the gentlemen in front of a large crowd of spectators. […] Though not normal, the patient immediately regained consciousness and spoke with us on site as well as in the back of the ambulance for the entire transport to the hospital. After getting the patient transferred to the hospital, the young man reached out his hand to us and said, “THANK YOU, I do not know what my wife, daughter and one on the way would have done without me.” […] Possessing the ability to truly give people […] a chance to go home to their families one more time and most importantly a chance to be alive is something I will forever treasure and never take for granted.
Chaz Lowery, Lt. of Operations. VBVRS has 10 ALS-certified ambulances with crews that are on their way within 60 seconds of a 911 call coming in.
Throughout my conversation with the squad they kept returning to how possessing the ability to help people in need was what, “unites” them, as McBride put it. Drescher and McBride explained how there is a comfort in knowing what to do when someone is in need. Of course that wasn’t always the case, specifically for McBride who explained that while she was studying in class and beginning this journey she often asked herself, “What am I doing here.” She explained to me that early on she was worried she was going to make a mistake and “kill someone” when actually having to apply what she was learning while studying. But she along with Drescher ― who got a late start volunteering on the rescue squad at age 65 ― both would make it through the classes and emerge confident in their ability to make a difference in the lives of people in need in Virginia Beach.
Ellen McBride, Past Chief, peers out of the squad truck.
Now you might be asking yourself, “Wait, okay, this is awesome and these guys should be commended for volunteering and truly making a difference locally but why is Southern Grit, a food magazine featuring them?” Well, the contributors and I at the mag are passionate about food as you know and often the company you eat with helps to contribute to making a night of dining all the more memorable. Personally, I’d be hard pressed to find a group of folks I’d rather have a beer with and lend my ears to than the “family” at the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Design Committee bell from the front of the VBVRS Squad Truck, one of two heavy rescue trucks in the city owned by volunteer squads.
On Sunday March 13th from 1-5pm the squad will be hosting their 40th Annual Family Oyster Roast and Craft Beer festival. Along with Lynnhaven oysters, craft beer selections and BBQ, the event includes chefs demos and live music. When you buy a ticket for this event your purchase goes towards the equipment and vehicles these volunteer heros in Virginia Beach use when answering over 13,000 calls a year- that’s one third of the emergency calls in Virginia Beach. Come out, enjoy some solid eats and support those that volunteer to help so many of us locally in our moment of need.
For great craft beer, Lynnhaven oysters, chef demos and much more check out VBVRS’s upcoming event HERE or click the flier above.
To Donate to the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad click HERE
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