There are many elements that go into making a community vibrant and healthy. Simply by introducing this topic, it is easy for examples to come to mind of people and organizations that would be vital. We would like to take a moment to commend a couple of organizations that may or may not be first on anyone’s list of examples but that absolutely need to be on it.

We thank the Charlotte County Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Charlotte Court House Volunteer Fire Department for their service to the community, and we applaud them for their efforts to improve their ability to provide that service.

As The Gazette reported last week, the Charlotte County Volunteer Rescue Squad was notified that it had been awarded the Rescue Squad Assistance State Funding grant in the amount of $151,815.20 to purchase three monitors/defibrillators and a new 2018 diesel ambulance.

“We have the older series monitors … they’ve been out for quite a few years, and the ones we’re planning on purchasing are the latest, up-to-date heart monitors, so that will help us with our cardiac patients,” Charlotte County Volunteer Rescue Squad Captain Bill Mayhew said.

The new ambulance will also meet a significant need, as he noted that the squad’s existing ambulances have had “quite a few breakdowns” over the past year. He said they have traveled many miles, with most of them having logged anywhere from 150,000 to 175,000.

Mayhew also expressed gratitude to everyone who made donations that, along with the grant, helped in the purchase of the new equipment. We would like to commend those generous folks as well.

We additionally reported that the Charlotte Court House Volunteer Fire Department was notified by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services that it had been awarded Rescue Squad Assistance State Funding for a $7,846 grant to purchase a utility vehicle (UTV) medical unit equipped with a rescue skid.

We offer a hearty “thank you” to the rescue squad and the fire department for their continued efforts to preserve life and health in the community by pursuing these grants, and we also thank the Commonwealth Regional Council for assisting both the squad and the department in the application process.