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April 10th, 2001, 03:07 PM
<b><big><big>RESCUE READYING FOR CARNIVAL</big></big></b><font size="3"><br>
<small><i>by Shaun A. Pennington</i></small>
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<table align="right" width="1%">
<tbody>
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<td><a href="http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/vault/?p=35679,1&req=full"><img align="right" alt="St. Thomas Rescue volunteers 'act out' a real rescue in preparation for that eventuality. " border="1" src="http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/vault/?p=35679,1" bordercolor="black" version="tw"></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><i><small>St. Thomas Rescue volunteers 'act out' a real rescue in
preparation for that eventuality.<small></small></small></i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
April 8, 2001 – Drivers passing Drake's Seat
Sunday morning were startled to see what looked like an accident scene. But
there was no cause for concern: It was St. Thomas Rescue, all right. And the
workers were pulling a car and three "patients" up the side of the
hill with the help of Triple A Towing Service and its owner, William Alxeander.
However, it was all a training exercise, in preparation for Carnival.<br>
There were no injuries, and the car had been
wrecked long before the team of rescue trainers and recruits pushed it over the
side Sunday morning.<br>
According to Gary Simon, training director for St.
Thomas Rescue Inc., nine new recruits got practice Sunday for the eventuality of
a real rescue. The training course, which usually takes about six months,
includes education and experience in dealing with vehicle entrapment,
rappelling, rescue diving and medical treatment.<br>
This is the time of year –- Carnival time -–
when the rescue squad finds itself the busiest, according to Vice President
Franklin Omarrow.<br>
Organization President Evans Jackson agreed,
saying Carnival time is the most dangerous "by far." However, he
added, St. Thomas Rescue will be officially involved in Carnival 2001.<br>
"It's the first time we will be having a
booth in the village," he said, and the group could use some help with it
-- and with a lot of other things.<br>
Jackson said the rescue squad, founded in 1979,
currently consists of 20 volunteers. "I could use a hundred," he
added. "We gladly accept donations, too. We're non-profit."<br>
Simon said new recruits usually train three times
a week. But since everyone is a volunteer, "We work within their
schedules."<br>
The volunteer "patients," one of whom
was doing a great job of "being in shock" –- yelling and trying to
get out of the gurney as rescue workers pulled him up the hill -– were Elroy
Phipps, Alston Lockhart and Allison Lockhart.<br>
Anyone who would like to volunteer or make a
donation to St. Thomas Rescue can call 774-6356 or 513-2791, or either of these
toll-free long-distance numbers: Jackson at 1-888-904-4095 and Omarrow at
1-888-904-4102.</font>
<small><i>by Shaun A. Pennington</i></small>
<p>
<table align="right" width="1%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/vault/?p=35679,1&req=full"><img align="right" alt="St. Thomas Rescue volunteers 'act out' a real rescue in preparation for that eventuality. " border="1" src="http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/vault/?p=35679,1" bordercolor="black" version="tw"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i><small>St. Thomas Rescue volunteers 'act out' a real rescue in
preparation for that eventuality.<small></small></small></i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
April 8, 2001 – Drivers passing Drake's Seat
Sunday morning were startled to see what looked like an accident scene. But
there was no cause for concern: It was St. Thomas Rescue, all right. And the
workers were pulling a car and three "patients" up the side of the
hill with the help of Triple A Towing Service and its owner, William Alxeander.
However, it was all a training exercise, in preparation for Carnival.<br>
There were no injuries, and the car had been
wrecked long before the team of rescue trainers and recruits pushed it over the
side Sunday morning.<br>
According to Gary Simon, training director for St.
Thomas Rescue Inc., nine new recruits got practice Sunday for the eventuality of
a real rescue. The training course, which usually takes about six months,
includes education and experience in dealing with vehicle entrapment,
rappelling, rescue diving and medical treatment.<br>
This is the time of year –- Carnival time -–
when the rescue squad finds itself the busiest, according to Vice President
Franklin Omarrow.<br>
Organization President Evans Jackson agreed,
saying Carnival time is the most dangerous "by far." However, he
added, St. Thomas Rescue will be officially involved in Carnival 2001.<br>
"It's the first time we will be having a
booth in the village," he said, and the group could use some help with it
-- and with a lot of other things.<br>
Jackson said the rescue squad, founded in 1979,
currently consists of 20 volunteers. "I could use a hundred," he
added. "We gladly accept donations, too. We're non-profit."<br>
Simon said new recruits usually train three times
a week. But since everyone is a volunteer, "We work within their
schedules."<br>
The volunteer "patients," one of whom
was doing a great job of "being in shock" –- yelling and trying to
get out of the gurney as rescue workers pulled him up the hill -– were Elroy
Phipps, Alston Lockhart and Allison Lockhart.<br>
Anyone who would like to volunteer or make a
donation to St. Thomas Rescue can call 774-6356 or 513-2791, or either of these
toll-free long-distance numbers: Jackson at 1-888-904-4095 and Omarrow at
1-888-904-4102.</font>