BVFD Rescue Squad - Founded 1975
Rescue Squad History
In the fall of 1974 five BVFD members enrolled in and completed a Medical Emergency Technician (MET) course at Geneva General Hospital. These members were Caryl Favro, Mary Gliewe, Jean Lutz, Richard Holland and Tony Burgess. Clarence Bidwell also completed a MET course at Monroe Community College.
The first ambulance was a 1968 Ford van purchased from Joe Spencer. George Lutz put a new engine into the van at Larry Bilodeau’s garage. It was parked at the Lutz residence for about six months until the new fire house at 4350 Route 64 was completed.
Calls were dispatched by calling the fire department telephone number 229-5333, or the Ontario County Sheriff’s office at 394-4560. Most (but not all) members had Plectron home receivers which were alerted by the Fire Dispatcher. A telephone alerting system or “phone tree” was also used to confirm the alarms, and alert those without monitors.
Original members of the BVFD Rescue Squad:
| Elane Barend | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Ray Barend | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Clarence Bidwell | EMT |
| Anthony Burgess | EMT, Squad Captain |
| Walter Dutcher | |
| Al Favro | |
| Caryl Favro | EMT |
| John Gfeller | American Red Cross First Aid, Fire Chief |
| Mary Gliewe | EMT |
| Betty Graupman | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Bruce Harter | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Debbie Harter | RN |
| Dick Holland | EMT |
| Beverly Houseman | RN |
| Janet Little | RN |
| George Lutz | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Jean Lutz | EMT |
| Sharon Miller | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Tom Miller | |
| Don Sanford | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Patricia Sanford | EMT Trainer |
| Joe Spencer | American Red Cross First Aid |
| Danny Thomas | EMT |
| Linda Trickey | LPN, EMT Trainer |
1975 Startup activities
Here is a timeline from 1975 illustrating the activities of the brand new BVFD Rescue Squad.
- January 3 – Radio installed in Emergency Van
- January 4 – Lights and siren installed on Emergency Van
- January 4 – driver drill
- January 12 – First Rescue Squad meeting at old fire house
- January 15 – Ambulance gurney donated by George and Jean Lutz
- February 1 – first ambulance call
- February 23 – Established squads for calls
- March 1 – Rig training
- April 19 – Civil Defense disaster drill at Honeoye
- August 21-23 – First Aid tent and blood pressure clinic at Bristol Carnival
- September 15 – Drill with Fire Department at 4-H Camp
- September 29 – Rescue drill at Honeoye School with Richmond Fire Department
- November 11 – MVA rescue drill on Lower Egypt Rd. with Richmond
- December – Received orthopedic stretcher
In 1976 the ’68 ambulance was replaced by a used 1969 Cadillac ambulance, bought from the East Bloomfield-Holcomb Fire Department for $800. In July 1980 yet another ambulance was displayed in the Bristol Firemans Parade, a 1977 Dodge van type ambulanced that was purchased from Greece Volunteer Ambulance for $6,000 and was designated A-191. This in turn was replaced by a 1985 Ford ambulance featuring a large on-board oxygen tank and dual fuel tanks.
In 1992 a new Ford Medtech diesel ambulance was purchased, and the ’85 was converted to squad vehicle 161. After a few years of service 161 was taken out of service, stripped of all equipment and insignia, and sold to a masonry contractor.
The Medtech A-191 is still in service today.