[Scan-DC] Caroline County-Frog Level Rescue #5 Closed

[Kenneth Fowler]

For immediate release

October 11, 2012

Contact:

Charles M. Culley, Jr., County Administrator

(804) 633-5380

cculley at co.caroline.va.us

Frog Level Volunteer Rescue Squad Closed

BOWLING GREEN - Caroline County Administrator Charles M. Culley, Jr.
announced

today that Frog Level Volunteer Rescue Squad has been closed and is no
longer an

operational EMS company of the Caroline County Department of Fire & Rescue.
The

action was approved by the Caroline County Board of Supervisors on October 9

following a recommendation by Fire-EMS Chief Jason R. Loftus.

"This action comes after a careful review of the facts over a significant
period of

time", said Culley. "It is a very difficult decision to close a rescue squad
that has

taken great pride in serving its neighbors for many years. Unfortunately,
the squad's

continued lack of active membership combined with a clear inability to
provide

fundamental leadership, discipline and member standards left us no choice.
The

County does not believe it is getting a sufficient return on its investment
in the form of

service to the public to warrant continued funding of the squad. We are
hopeful

these deficiencies can be addressed in the future."

Culley emphasized that emergency services to area citizens would not be
impacted

by the decision to close the rescue squad. "The County has provided
emergency

medical services from the nearby Frog Level Volunteer Fire Department for
some

time through a combination of career staff and volunteers and will continue
to do in

the future", said Culley. "Citizens will see no drop off in service as a
result of this

action. Active volunteers from Frog Level Volunteer Rescue Squad will be
absorbed

into the County system at other locations."