The Hancock Rescue Squad is a small volunteer Emergency Medical Station that is supported by career Advanced Life Support Providers. The organization is located in the small town of Hancock in Washington County, western Maryland. Hancock Rescue operated two ALS ambulances, one ALS chase vehicle and a Rescue Squad serving five counties in three states. Within these areas are two major Interstate Highways, the Western Maryland Rails-to-Trail State Park as well as the C&O Canal National Park. The Rescue Squad responds to approximately 900 calls for service each year, a number that is gradually increasing each year.

The Rescue Squad was formed in November 1967 by Howard Grove and James Mortzfeldt. Prior to this time , EMS service was provided by Grove Funeral Home, which simply accommodated a transport service, not like the EMS service of today. The Rescue Squad was incorporated on February 8th, 1968 and officially placed in service on March 15th of the same year. The first emergency call was March 23rd, 1968. The organization was made up of 26 Charter Members that were 100% volunteer. As the community grew and the demands became greater, the Rescue Squad was forced to implement a career system to provide continuous ALS coverage. By 1998 the company responded to over 750 calls for service and by 2004, over 900. It is projected by the year 2010, the company will be responding to over 1200 calls for service.

The Hancock Rescue Squad relies on various sources of income. The greatest is monies provided by the local, county, state and federal government. Other sources include the annual Fund Drive, 3rd Party Billing, as well as other donations. While there is a vast source of income, there is also a great deal of expense to the company. An ambulance, that has approximately a ten year life, costs over $120,000.00. Equipment for the ambulance is around $40,000.00 including a $12,000.00 cardiac monitor/defibrillator for each ambulance. As mentioned earlier, Hancock Rescue Squad also operates a Rescue Squad responsible for auto extrications as well as other various rescue and fire ground operations. One Hurst tool, commonly known as the Jaws of Life, costs in excess of $8,000.00. Additionally, the company has the expense of maintaining the vehicles as well as continually replacing supplies used in emergency situations.

The Hancock Rescue Squad is in desperate need of a new facility to house the units as well as the providers. Hancock Rescue has outgrown the current facility in all ways. The building was one room that serves as a meeting room, dayroom, kitchen, as well as a bunkroom. The building is structurally unsound , visible by the large cracks in the walls and the floor, which also creates a climate control issue. A larger parking area is needed, as some vehicles have to be parked outside and the Rescue Squad is a tight fit, so tight that the apron must be cleared of snow in the winter, prior to backing in the building to allow for clearance.

A new facility has been a well thought out process that the organization has been faced with. Finding the proper location has been a 2-3 year process along with the various meetings with agencies offering assistance with ideas and possibilities. We are currently in the process of a current building in Hancock to house the new Hancock Rescue Squad operations, hopefully by Summer 2007.

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