Rescue Squad Says Goodbye to Ambulance 82
When the new Ambulance 82 was placed in service in early 2006, the Rescue Squad put the older, smaller Ambulance 82 up for sale. Then Hurricane Katrina devastated the southeastern United States, and plans changed. Bill Lobley contacted Pam Broadhead, a member of the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency of Mobile, Alabama. She reported that the flooding from Katrina had resulted in severe damage to southern Alabama and crippled its emergency resources. They were desperate for help.
Bill approached the Squad’s membership with a proposal to donate Ambulance 82 to the crew in Mobile. A motion was immediately made, seconded, and unanimously carried to give our sister crew the vehicle. The Squad also provided twenty sets of used turnout gear.
On Thursday, March 23, 2006, Bill Lobley, Kathy Hastings, and Travis Nelson drove Ambulance 82 to the Baltimore-Washington International Airport’s fire department. There they met Mark Turner and Rob Byrd who had flown up from Mobile. When Mark spotted the ambulance for the first time, he said, “I think we’ll keep that for ourselves,” rather than passing it on to another crew. Both men appreciated the small but serviceable vehicle and how well it was maintained.
After completing the necessary paperwork, Mark and Rob gave Bill, Kathy, and Travis some company shirts and patches and promised to send pictures of the ambulance after it was repainted. They also showed the trio some pictures of Alabama’s beautiful beaches before they were ravaged by Katrina.
t is believed that Travis had a tear in his eye as he watched Mark and Rob drive Ambulance 82 southward to begin their sixteen-hour trek back home. All of the Rescue Squad members have fond memories of their beloved little ambulance, whether it be at stand-bys, in parades, or on calls. We wish the best for it and the members of its new station and look forward to hearing from Mark and Rob again soon.
