North Mecklenburg Volunteer Rescue Squad Community Page

Donations

The North Mecklenburg Volunteer Rescue Squad relies upon the goodwill of the citizens of Huntersville and northern Mecklenburg County for funding to operate. While the squad does receive funding from local governments, individual donations from community members are critical to the success of our operations. Your donations allow us to replace old equipment, maintain our vehicles, undergo advanced training, and continue our day-to-day operations. We cannot provide critical services to our community without your support!

If you would like to donate funds to the squad, you can mail a check (made out to North Mecklenburg Volunteer Rescue Squad) to the address below or click on the paypal link to donate electronically:

North Mecklenburg Volunteer Rescue Squad
P.O. Box 622
Huntersville, NC 28070

No donation is too small! Any amount of support is greatly appreciated. Remember - without your help, we can't serve you and your community. If you would like more information about donations, please call the squad at (704) 875-1457 or email us at .

Changes to Child Car Seat Laws

Effective January 1st, 2005:

"A child less than 8 years old and less than 80 lbs shall be properly secured in a weight-appropriate child passenger restraint system"

What does this mean?

All children less than 16 years old must be buckled up in either the front or back seat.
A child who is younger than age 8 and who weighs less than 80 pounds must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device (CRD) that:
1) meets Federal standards applicable at the time of its manufacture, and
2) is appropriate for the child's weight and height. Most parents and other care givers will be able to comply by using belt-positioning booster seats for children between 40 and 80 pounds. Visit the websites below for additional information on booster seats.
When a child reaches age 8 (regardless of weight) or 80 pounds (regardless of age), a properly fitted seat belt may be used instead of a CRD to restrain the child. Placing the shoulder belt under a child's (or adult's) arm or behind the back continues to be dangerous and illegal.
If no seating position equipped with a lap and shoulder belt to properly secure a belt-positioning booster seat is available, a child less than 8 years of age and between 40 and 80 pounds may be restrained by a properly fitted lap belt only. WARNING: Belt-positioning booster seats must NEVER be used with just a lap belt.
To find a Mecklenburg County car seat clinic near you, visit www.safekidscharmeck.org or call 704-336-SAFE (7233).
Parents must attend a clinic in their vehicle, with their child, current car seat (if available) and show proof of financial aid (DSS card, WIC card, etc) with proper ID to be eligible for discounted seats. For more information regarding the law and booster seats, visit www.buckleupnc.org.

Lights in Private Vehicles

Most drivers in Huntersville are familiar with the flashing red lights and sirens on the North Mecklenburg Rescue Squad's emergency vehicles. These devices help to alert other drivers to the presence of a rescue vehicle or ambulance en route to an emergency. When these warning devices are activated, North Carolina state law requires all drivers to slow down, pull right, and allow emergency vehicles to pass.

When a call for help comes in, many of our members respond from home, work, or school in their own personal vehicles. To help the public identify emergency responders, North Carolina state law allows qualified volunteer EMTs to equip their own vehicles with red warning lights. Several members of the North Mecklenburg Rescue Squad use these devices while responding to calls.

Remember, the vehicle you see behind you may be responding to your home or to the aid of your loved ones!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an EMT?
An EMT, or Emergency Medical Technician, is a person who is specially trained to handle medical emergencies using basic life support. This person is able to perform capable patient assessments and use his or her knowledge to apply such treatments as oxygen therapy, splinting, wound management and spinal immobilization. An EMT has undergone over 148 hours of classroom and clinical instruction.

How can I become an EMT?
Depending on your location, finding an EMT class can be as simple as contacting your local rescue squad or community college. In Mecklenburg County, EMT classes are conducted by Central Piedmont Community College. Classes are typically held during spring and fall semesters at several different locations. The class is 148 hours of classroom instruction and at least 10 hours of clinical time. Cost for the class is $65 in Mecklenburg County, plus textbooks, but may vary in your area.

What is the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?
A paramedic is a highly skilled, highly educated medical professional. Paramedics typically undergo 1600 or more hours of instruction, including advanced topics in medicine, clinical instruction in many different areas of the hospital, and field internships. Paramedics are able to perform such advanced tasks as advanced patient assessments, heart rhythm interpretation, blood glucose analysis, and are able to perform skills such as IV therapy, drug administration, needle thoracentesis, needle cricothyroidotomy, defibrillation, cardioversion and trans-thoracic pacing. A paramedic is capable of handling and stabilizing a wide range of emergencies from the time he or she arrives on scene until delivery of the patient to the hospital.

Does the squad staff paramedics?
While it has members on its roster who are certified as paramedics, the North Mecklenburg Volunteer Rescue Squad does not staff any paramedics. The contract that the squad holds with Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) states that it can provide first-responder, non-transport EMT services. Therefore, all certified paramedics who volunteer for the squad function at the level of EMT when they are running on squad calls.

What is Mecklenburg EMS Agency or MEDIC?
Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) is the paramedic transport service for Mecklenburg County and the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. It has the responsibility of providing prehospital medical care for communities and citizens throughout Mecklenburg County. The agency staffs paramedic ambulances 24 hours a day and is responsible for the transport of all emergency and non-emergency patients. MEDIC is also responsible for the coordination, contracts, and protocols for all first-responder services in the county. MEDIC is also the dispatch center for all EMS and county fire calls, and it serves as the county Emergency Operations Center.

Does the squad transport patients to the hospital?
No. According to the contracts established by Mecklenburg EMS Agency, MEDIC and Mint Hill Vol. Fire Dept. are the only primary transport agencies in the county (Both of which are staffed by at least one paramedic). This is why North Mecklenburg Rescue Squad no longer owns or operates any ambulances.

Can the squad transport my loved one to the hospital non-emergently?
No. We don't own or operate any ambulances. If you need a non-emergency transport by AMBULANCE you can contact the Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC). MEDIC's non-emergency number is (704) 943-6190.

Is it true that the squad pays its' members?
That is partially true. The town of Huntersville budgeted funds to compensate one paid person for the squad beginning in its 2002 fiscal budget. The paid responsibility is shared by a number of squad members who meet a special set of requirements. We staff 2 EMT/TR (TR=NC Certified Technical Rescuer) on duty 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. In addition to running EMS and RESCUE calls, the paid staff is also responsible for station cleanliness, equipment maintenance, and apparatus stocking.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact the squad at
(704) 875-1457 or email