Fincastle Rescue Squad

"Volunteers in Action!"

History of Fincastle Rescue Squad

   The Fincastle Rescue Squad, Inc., was formed in March 1979, by 22 volunteers from the community.   The squad had been operating for some time prior to this date as a substation to Troutville Rescue Squad.  Those 22 members decided that Fincastle needed a Rescue Squad and decided to start a new rescue squad.

   The squad started with one station wagon type ambulance (430), one chevy van (432), and one response car (450).  The unit 432 and 450 were equipped with cardiac advanced equipment.  The Fincastle Rescue Squad operated out of a two car garage on Blacksburg Road.  This building served as the crew hall for 7 years.  The membership was divided into to 3 parts: Honorary/Life Members, Active Members, and Probationary Members.  When some wanted to join the rescue squad, they had to serve a six(6) month probationary period.

   Starting in March of 1981, Fincastle Rescue Squad decided to open a substation in Eagle Rock, Virginia, to help with calls in that area.  Many of the members were living in that area and by putting a substation there, it decreased the response time.

   The Crew applied and was granted membership into The Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads in April of 1981 and became it’s 225th member.  In May of 1981, the Botetourt County Association of Rescue Squads was formed to help bring all the county rescue squads together.

   The Fincastle Rescue Squad moved into the former Fincastle Fire Department building in 1983 and continued to use the building until 1989.  This building provided more space for the members.  The building consisted of three bays and an office on the lower level and a meeting room upstairs.

   As membership and the number of calls increased, a new building was constructed in 1989 on a vacant lot on Factory Street.  This building still serves as the current crew hall for the Fincastle Rescue Squad.  The new crew hall consisted of a larger bay area with increased room for larger ambulances.

   In 1996, Fincastle Rescue Squad purchased the first Freightliner Ambulance, nicknamed Monster Medic.  The Freightliner Ambulance from AEV, Inc. was the first of its kind in Botetourt County.  The ambulance had the largest patient treatment cabin of any Botetourt County Rescue Squad.

   It was decided in 2001 that a third ambulance was needed to help respond to 911 calls in Botetourt County.  So, the fourth bay was added to the current building and a third ambulance was purchased.  The addition added the extra bay, a day room, storage space, and two offices.

   Fincastle Rescue Squad currently has 22 members that cover calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We continue to purchase up-to-date equipment so that we may provide the residents of Botetourt County the best care.  If you are interested in becoming a member, feel free to check out the membership page, give us a call at (540) 473-8383 or email us at  membership@fincastlerescue.com.

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©2007 Fincastle Rescue Squad, Inc.