Aynor Rescue Squad grows with town
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Aynor Rescue Squad
Aynor Rescue Squad
Marshall Staton/WBTW
Ambulances at Aynor Volunteer Rescue Squad, Aynor, SC
Published: March 31, 2009
Updated: April 1, 2009
When the weather gets warmer, the roads get a little more crowded as more people start to make their way to the coast.
And one of the ways to get there is down US 501 through the small town of Aynor. Many of the people who live in Aynor said sometimes US 501 is so busy, getting to the other side of town is a challenge.
Ernest Gerrald said the Aynor Volunteer Rescue Squad sees the results of the increase when the number of calls for service doubles during the summer. The Rescue Squad has been serving the mostly rural community since 1979 and Gerrald said while volunteers are slim, they do the best they can with what they have. “We get out on as many as we can quite naturally, but a lot of people are working in the daytime and nighttime would be your better time for them to get out.“
The all volunteer squad coordinates with Horry County Fire Rescue and Gerrald said they are a much needed supplement. The calls range from assisting with fires and crashes to transporting people to other hospitals. “Rescue squad is a non-profit organization and the only time we collect anything, if they have insurance we will file and take what the insurance pays.” Gerrald adds that once the healthcare center, a satellite of Marion Healthcare System, is built, it will be a welcome location to take patients to a local medical facility for treatment. He said doing that will leave other ambulances and volunteers available for other jobs that may reduce travel time and keep medical costs down.
Gerrald also said the Aynor Volunteer Rescue Squad is always looking for volunteers. If you’re interested and able-bodied, they’ll take you and train you as needed.
Reader Reactions
So Ralph you stated not to run those down that are at least trying. Tell me who is trying? Who has runned calls. Who has taken care of your family members in a need of crisus. I rest assure that I can say it was not Aynor Rescue Squad. so before you start commenting on someone else post make sure you know the facts.
Aynor residents you can be assured that Horry County Fire Rescue will give you the best care possible. Station 24 has some of the brightest and most caring people I know of. Everyone at that station has at least 5 years exp. Some with 20.
I hope Aynor rescue does step up in the future and becomes a welcomed assett to the residents of Aynor. But before you support them next time just ask what they have done for you today. Ask what your money will be spent on.
Its funny that you mention that Ralph. I am good friends with a county employee who has tried to get on at the rescue squad, who is an emt a firefighter, and has been doing it for 10-15 years, but because his last name isnt Parker, Graham, or Gerrald, he was denied, all they want is the good ol boys up there the names i mentioned and county or aynor council members to run their political bullcrap. Im also friends with an individual who joined the rescue squad and had been there about a month and continually tried to get into EMT class and was denied. Then comes a gerrald and an aynor council member who join, get put in EMT class, and are hired by the county who was supposively hiring only volunteers from within the dept. Its all about who you know so until the good ol boys are pushed out of there, that place will be nothing more than a waste of space and a scam to aynor residents!
Sounds like the rescue squad could use some volunteers. Why don’t you that are badmouthing them sign up, become a volunteer, and make a difference in your community. Don’t talk, take action! If you are not willing to volunteer to try to make things better, you should not try to run down those that are at least trying.
nighthawk521 you can have the best equipment in the world, and it want do anyone a bit of good if doesn’t get used.I don’t belive that a county employee would be jealous.It appears to me that they have very good equipment.you even stated that there equipment is first rate.
you know come to think of it. I always see the red and white ambulance at houses, I’ve never seen the Aynor rescue squads ambulance on a call.I’ve seen it at the hoe down pararde.It’s sometimes at the ball games, but not always.I give money to the rescue squad.but thats coming to end if they cant go to calls no more than they do. I always thought that that red and white ambulance was the rescue sqauad, and that they where doing the community good. people of aynor I think we’ve had the wool pulled over our eyes by the rescue squad.can the leaders of the rescue squad please tell just how often do you run call and take people to the hospital.like I stated earlier I WANT GIVE NO MKORE MONEY TO THAT RESCUE SQUAD UNTIL IT’S MADE CLEAR!!!!!I also be passing this on to my friends!!
Wow…3 comments saying basically the same thing, the one defensive comment coming from what appears to be the chief of the rescue squad, given that on their website the chief’s call number is “521”. Hopefully citizens will see this truth about the squad, and quit giving donations until they start producing!
Yes Aynor is one of the busiest small towns I know of. I can say this because I was born and raised there.
Aynor Rescue Squad could be a resource and asset to the small town. At this time though it really serves no purpose but is more of a liability. The training is not up to date. There is never anyone there. They have not been seen running any calls in the Aynor in the past three years. They also have been in meetings at the recue sqad building or getting fuel when calls would go out and they would not respond. They have no type of leadership. They do no type of training with county units.
Aynor Rescue Squad will though take your donations. Run calls for Horry County Fire Rescue at Myrtle Beach during the busy months for cash. They also will smile and wave during they parades in Aynor.
Please before you give your donations to Aynor Rescue Squad ask them for a call log. Ask Ernest Gerrald or the Pat Parker the calls the Squad was dispatched to and the ones they actually responded too. I will tell you it might be three calls in the past five years. Jsut remember red and white is a county ambulance and 160,000 orange and white is Aynor Rescue Squad…
The problem is Aynor could have 3 ambulances given the fact that 2 sit at the rescue squad, but truth is, and correct me if im worng, but I think Horry county currently has 1 ambulance in Aynor. And sadly, from my knowledge, it is the only 1 serving the community. Im all for what volunteers do, and think its a great thing. Im glad that you guys are able to get the things that you do, but what a lot of people dont understand is they are donating their hard earned money to Aynor rescue squad and getting what in return? The misconception is that citizens think when an ambulance comes to their house they assume it is the rescue squad and 9.9 times outta 10 it’s not. Then they go donate money to your cause as a way of thinking you for helping them when in fact you did absolutely nothing to help them. As nothing more than a citizen of Aynor, I would love to see that 160,000 dollar ambulance driving by my house every now and then going to a call. But the sad truth is unless you attend the hoe-down or christmas parade, or watch the news and all the stories on aynor rescue squad, you are probably not going to see that ambulance. What I would like to see is a run report straight from dispatch with the number of calls aynor rescue squad is dispatched to, the number they respond to, and how many patients in aynor they have transported over the last two years. I think the results would probably shock a lot of people. I once again have no problem whatsoever with the rescue squad and think it “could be” a great asset to my hometown, but I have a problem with you claiming to serve the community and accepting it’s money, when in fact you do hardly anything to help me or my neighbors!
Oh wait i get it now, I have to admit TV13 this was the best april’s fools joke i’ve seen in a long time!
I would like to know how many volunteers Horry County Fire has in Aynor? (I bet 0) How many ambulances does Horry County have stationed in Aynor? I am sure the rescue squad could use some more volunteers that want to get trained and respond to emergencies. I thought I heard Chief Gerrald say they were accepting volunteers. Sounds like some county employees are jealous that their equipment is not as nice as the rescue squads is. I have seen their facilities and equipment and they are first rate.
s-q-u-a-d
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