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AUGUST «, 1*75 - PLAIN DEALER CENTENNIAL EDITION-PAGE • (Continued from page 7) owners of pity Wide Carpet donated the use of the building free of charge for as long as the squad needed it The committee also pur­ chased the first rescue vehicle from the Antioch Rescue squad for a nominal fee of $2,000. The truck, a 1965 GMC panel truck. was completely equipped and ready to operate. All that had to he installed was a two-way radio for com­ munication with the police department linfl^escue^sqiisif headquarters. The base radio at the building was donated by Liberty Asphalt and Petroleum of Grayslake. Plectron Alert Radio receivers were purchased for each member and this is the way the rescue squad members are summoned to a call. On Sept. 28. 1971, the state of Illinois issued a charter to the McHenry Area Rescue squad as a non profit corporation. First Aid training began immediately with the following people as original charter members: John Schlofner, Carmon Hodges, Thomas ( Cheatham. Phillip Gust. Paul Heber. Axel Schwanke. Richard Waychunas, Denise Broemn. Mark Justen. Ronald Schaefer, Walter Schaefer, Michael Hodges. Ronald Barwig, Robert Schmaling, Kenneth McKenna, ^ Gary Baseley and Nick Freurid. The members received .their ad­ vanced First Aid cards in December. 1971 A member of the rescue squad receives no pay He donates his time not only (or making rescue calls but for all training meetings, regular monthly business meetings, cleanup details and main­ tenance of the building, trucks and equipment. The first fund drive was also coordinated by the Jaycees with the McHenry State bank A group of local businessmen • * ^ * * V we i ARK A Members of the McHenry Rescue squad are pictured at their new facility along with some of the equipment used by the squad. Shown in the front row, left to right, are Len Bogacz, Carmon Hodges, vice-president; Axel Schwanke, Stan Johnson, captain; Gary Baseley, president; Ron Howard, assistant chief; and Kathy Baseley (standing); back row, Walter Schaefer, Dick Doherty, secretary; Jack Smitte, Gary Ricker, Mike Thoma, Norm Schmaling, Nick Freund, Mark Justen, Kim McKenna, Ron Schaefer, and Bob Schmaling, chief. Absent when the picture was taken were Phil Gust, treasurer; Gayle Bennett, Karen Eckstein and Loretta Simon. headed by Anthony Varese organized a dinner-dance for benefit of the rescue squad. It was held Jan. 9, 1972, at the McHenry Country club. Over $5,900 was realized' from this event which had over 300 people in attendance. The rescue squad has its annual fund drive in November each year. A letter is sent out requesting money for operating expenses, purchase of equip- pient and supplies and building maintenance. It costs about $6,000 in fixed expenses to operate each year with in­ surance costing over $3,000 per year. On March 10, 1972, McHenry fire Co. No. 1, played a benefit basketball game against the Chicago Bears at West campus. Proceeds from the game were over $2,000. The rescue squad's second emergency, vehicle was pur­ chased from the Dodge Motor division and Automotive Conversions corporation of Troy, Mich., with the help of Sunnvside Dodge of McHenry. The vehicle was an auto show demonstrator owned jointly by \ Dodge and Automotive Con­ versions. It was piychased at a discounted price of $6,100. The third rescue vehicle was purchased Jan. 15, 1974. It is a Dodge Maxivan with a raised roof It will accommodate four patients at one time. This vehicle cost $15,000. The squad's original vehicle is used strictly as an equipment truck. It is equipped with such items as air chisels, fire ex­ tinguishers, hydraulic porto- power. water rescue equipment and Scot air packs. It also carries a Hurst power tool used to extricate people who are pinned in automobiles or trapped under a heavy object. This tool was given to the rescue squad by Illinois Coil Spring company of McHenry. It is also available on request to assist all rescue squads and fire departments in McHenry county. The rescue squad also has a boat and trailer which was donated by the city of McHenry to effect rescues on or near the water. Due to the growth of the rescue squad in equipment, membership and the number of calls, it became necessary to find a bigger building. After looking at several locations, it was decided to acquire the present location at 1208 N. Court street. The property is leased from the city of McHenry on a 20-year renewable lease. The new building was designed by Carmon Hodges and all work was coordinated by Bob Schmaling. The building, which is valued at $50,000 was built at an actual cost of $15,000. The rest of the material and labor was donated by rescue squad members, local business men and private citizens. Ground breaking ceremonies were held Nov. 3, 1973, and the building was completed on May 11, 1974. An open house was held Oct. 13, 1974, to give Supporters a chance to see what the money they had donated was used for. In connection with the State of Illinois Trauma program, McHenry Rescue squad members are now in various stages of advanced training. Initial Red Cross First Aid training is fifty-two hours. An advanced and more technical course developed in con­ junction with the State Trauma program is another eighty-two hours. When completed, the member is rated as an E M - T A Emergency Medical Technician Ambulance). After this course is com­ pleted. a 120-hour course on heart attack patients is taken. This course teaches how to recognize the types of heart trouble and xead electro­ cardiograms. It also teaches how to use a defibulator or shock treatment to restart the heart in the event of cardiac arrest. After completion of this course, the member is registered nationally as an E M T. II or paramedic. Two of the area rescue squad mem­ bers are registered E.M.T. II-- Karen Eckstein and Ron Schaefer. Other training is carried out at special monthly training meetings. Practice is con­ ducted regarding water rescue, closed heart massage, Hurst rescue tool extrication, radio operation and location and operation of all equipment in the building and vehicles. As the State Trauma program progresses, it will be necessary for the rescue squad to" purchase a combination defibulator and E.K.G. printer. The State of Illinois will supply the Telemetry or radio tran­ smission equipment. The local squad's portion of the equip­ ment will cost about $4,000 and will enable electrocardiograms to be sent from the scene of the call to the hospital, where in­ structions will be given from a doctor at the hospital for treatment. This program is in the planning stages in this area but in other counties, it is in full operation. The rescue squad also plans in the future to replace the original first vehicle with a new one. It has been converted to an equipment truck and has served the purpose fairly well. However, with the addition of more equipment and due to its age, it is necessary to purchase a different type. Also in future plans is a drive to obtain more members. At least two more people are needed who would be available for daytime calls. Average calls take about twenty minutes and the average for every twenty-four hours is one and one-third calls. Over 180 calls had been made as of June 1, 1975. Calls an­ swered in 1974 numbered 502. Since its inception in January 1972, the squad has answered in excess of 1,200 calls. The McHenry Area Rescue squad is grateful to every person, business and organization that has helped make the squad a success. It is impossible to name everyone here; however, plaques of recognition are on display at the squad building, , acknowledging the citizens and businesses that have donated large amounts of time and money to the rescue squad. Formed In 1952 Johnsburg Rescue Squad A "First II The Johnsburg Rescue squad was originated by a group of twelve men back in 1952. These men solicited contributions from the generous residents in the surrounding communities, purchased the necessary equipment and incorporated as a "not for profit corporation" in Match, 1953. The purposes for which the (Continued on page 9; We have a LOT to Like! MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS HAVE PURCHASED CARS HERE We're not at the same location anymore, but our attitude hasn't changed. We still give you "an honest hour's work" for your hard earned money.' It is this kind of integrity that enabled us back in 1973 to move to our new location on Rte. 120. With a larger and more modern Service & Parts department and sales lot we can efficiently handle your every motoring need. SINCE m "Since 1957, the secret behind our success has been pride." OUR BUSINESS HAS GROWN ON DOING THE JOB RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, FAIR PRICES, A FRIENDLY ATTITUDE AND REPAIRS MADE UNDER CERTIFIED SUPERVISION. i«l SUBARU IRELLI SEE THE CARS OF TODAY AND OF THE FUTURE AT..... EUROPA MOTORS 2414 W. RTE. 120 McHENRY 385-0700 m SERVING THE NEEDS OF McHENRY COUNTY WITH GAS SAVING CARS HAS BEEN OUR > ^ CONCERN FOR 73 YEARS. SIM 1