Emergency Medical Service in Amherst County is served by dedicated volunteers and career staff in three departments Amherst, Monelison and Pedlar with each having primary service areas in the county. One non-jurisdictional department also provide first due response service in an effort to provide quicker response to these areas of the county. Each department is assigned a primary response area and also acts as backup response for other departments.
In 1958 Amherst Life Saving Crew began to be developed. Prior to this time, medical services were provided by private ambulance from Lynchburg and funeral homes. In 1959 the articles of incorporation were completed and Amherst Life Saving Crew was formed.
In 1964, Monelison Volunteer Rescue Squad was organized by a group of men who wanted to make a difference in this community. Some of these men actually took out loans and mortgaged their homes in order to establish the Squad.
In 1975, the men and women in the Pedlar area of Amherst County formed Pedlar Fire and Rescue to serve the citizens in the North western portion of the county.
In 2003, the volunteer rescue squads recognized the need for additional support to provide services to the citizens. The squads asked the Board of Supervisors for career staffing as a supplement to the volunteers as the call volume increased. Today, we have eighteen career personnel that staff Amherst, Monelison and Pedlar Rescue twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with an Advanced Life Support and EMT personnel. The three Paramedics that staff Amherst Life Saving Crew also serve as the on-shift supervisor with the title of Captain. These Captains have also received more advanced medical training and have the capability of delivering additional medical treatments. Volunteers and career staff works together in a combination system to provide emergency medical services to the county.
Since this time, our system has grown to a total of three stations, 8 ambulances, 2 crash trucks, 3 Sport utility vehicles, 100 volunteers and 24 career personnel. It is a multi-million dollar business with a critical mission for our community and dedicated personnel.
We are forever grateful for all the men and women who worked so diligently to create, form, develop and establish the standards before us within each of these organizations. Their commitment and dedication to their fellow citizens are the reason we are here today. In addition to this group, are the many volunteers that have come and gone over the years that have maintained the traditions and brought these agencies to this point.
The history of our existence is important and equally important is the future which is in our hands. We must never lose focus about our purpose which is to provide fire and EMS services to Amherst County in a safe and professional manner. It takes the contribution of the public, local government, the communication system and both volunteer and career personnel to make the system work.
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