Rescue Squad Brings Home Awards

The Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads 68th Annual Convention and Training Event October 6-7th, in Pigeon Forge saw the Hardeman County group nearly sweep the competition.

From the original charter group of five squads in 1955, T.A.R.S. has grown to 115 squads with approximately 5,000 members - stretching through the four Regions from Bristol to Memphis. Some accomplishments of T.A.R.S. include legislation enabling squads to register rescue vehicles without being required to pay the license fee, proclamation by the Governor of a statewide Rescue Squad Week, designing and distributing a T.A.R.S. flag and a logo which is a registered trademark, and the development of efficient procedures for region wide and statewide operations.

Some recent activities of T.A.R.S. include the development of regional teams, which specialize in technical rescue disciplines and the expansion of training programs designed to support such endeavors.

In the Advanced Extrication, Hardeman County won best in the state. Hardeman County also took first place in Technical Rescue Challenge. Also at the event, Darren Grantham took second place in the driving competition, while Kent Wadley was elected as Parliamentarian for the state association.

All members of the rescue squad serve without receiving monetary compensation.

Photo courtesy of the Hardeman County Rescue Squad.