Bassett
Rescue Squad, Inc.
1950 Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 510
Bassett, VA 24055
(276) 629-3107
History | Service Area |
Become a Volunteer |
Back to Public Safety
On a May afternoon in 1909 two men from an overturned canoe suddenly
disappeared in the Roanoke River. In 1928, Memories of this tragic drowning led
Julian Stanley Wise to start the first rescue squad in America.On a May afternoon in 1909 two men from an overturned canoe suddenly
disappeared in the Roanoke River. In 1928, Memories of this tragic drowning led
Julian Stanley Wise to start the first rescue squad in America.
Thirty years later in the spring of 1958 in Bassett,
history repeated itself. A broad, deep bend in the Smith River northwest of Bassett
claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy. The Bassett Police was notified and rescue
crews from Danville and Martinsville responded.
After this incident, like many other rescue squads in
Virginia, the Bassett Rescue Squad was founded. There were five members of the first
squad: S.B. Conway, John Arnold, James Wall, Joey Craig, and Marvin Reeves. Of
these, Joey Craig is the only charter member active in the squad, and he runs every
Saturday night.
The squad moved from the fire department into their new
building pictured above in 1981. Assets of Bassett Rescue Squad now exceed $2
million dollars, but this is far less than the value of the dedicated members who give of
their time to help others in their time of need.
The squad's primary service area encompasses approximately 20,000 residents and a land area of approximately 85 square miles. The squad's primary service area borders Patrick and Franklin Counties and the squad often times respond into the adjoining counties on emergency calls. The Bassett area is very industrialized consisting primarily of textile and furniture manufacturing operations. Thousands of employees travel to the area to work each day further taxing the EMS system.