[MISSION STATEMENT]
-Missisquoi Valley Rescue, Inc., is established to provide 24 hour emergency ambulance, search and rescue, emergency patient transfer and related services within the towns of Highgate and Swanton, VT., and outside said towns when requested by responsible authorities. MVR will also provide public education in accident prevention, CPR, and emergency first-aid.
[SQUAD HISTORY]
-Missisquoi Valley Rescue, Inc. (MVR), was chartered on August 25th, 1976 as an all volunteer ambulance and rescue squad. MVR's purpose is to provide ambulance and rescue services to the towns of Highgate and Swanton, VT.
-A group of dedicated community members from both towns set goals and objectives so that MVR could become a reality. The group applied for and received a corporate, non-profit status in July of 1976.
-MVR requested and received funding for the purchase of a new 1977 type II ambulance. The members of MVR asked the people of Swanton and Highgate for one time funding for this ambulance with the stipulation that MVR would try their best to never request more funding, from the communities. MVR would provide funding for its annual budget from an annual subscription drive and various fundraisers. This worked until March of 1996.
-MVR added a second ambulance, as the call volume for the squad increased. The vehicle was a converted funeral home hearse, and provided back-up service for 2 years. MVR has maintained two ambulances since that time.
-In October of 1995, MVR underwent extensive changes. The annual subscription drive returns had declined to less than 30%. Volunteerism had also declined to a point where a small group of women were volunteering 12 hours a day, 5 days a week. The squad had no choice but to change the way it operates, or close down its operation on the day shift. The squad formulated a plan to request funding from both communities so that we would have sufficient money to provide a paid duty crew during the day shift. The money would also provide operating capital for the budget. In March of 1996 during the annual town meeting, the requested funding was approved by both communities. In an agreement with both community leaders MVR agreed to begin billing its patients for services. In future years, whatever income was earned from billing would be taken off the requested funding from the towns for the next years budget.
-In 2010, MVR, again, underwent some extensive changes. After going well over a decade with the paid crew during the day, and volunteers on nights and weekends, volunteerism once again declined to a point where the squad had to decide whether to change the way it operated, or close down for good. MVR once again formulated a plan to request funding for paid duty crews 24/7. The request for funding was approved by both towns. MVR also purchased a quarters trailer to allow members from outside Swanton and Highgate to stay in the area while they are on duty. With these changes, MVR was able to replenish its work force.
-MVR continues to grow and excel in all areas. Patient care has improved dramatically and MVR maintains high standards for its members, and state of the art equipment. Our squad colors are Red, White, and Gold, and our slogan is "Service To Humanity".
[IMPORTANT NOTE]
-Missisquoi Valley Rescue, Inc., page is designed for informational purposes only, and should NEVER be used for emergency purposes whatsoever. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our business office via phone or e-mail, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you have an emergency then you are to call 911.
-We ask that if you post on our page, you remain respectful. If any posts contain profanity, violation of privacy laws, or anything else we deem inappropriate your post will be deleted without notice, and you could be blocked from our page.
-We would like to thank everyone for following our page on Facebook. But most importantly we would like to thank the widespread support of the taxpayers and supporters in the towns of Highgate and Swanton.
