In July of 1968, the Avery County Rescue Squad, Inc was formed in Elk Park NC right on main street. Several members of the community saw a need for a rescue squad and took their time, hard work, and money to get it started. Before the rescue squad was formed, the county had no emergency medical care with the exception of the local funeral home, Reins-Sturdivant. The funeral home’s hearse doubled as an ambulance to transport the sick and injured to the hospital.

The squad started off with old military vehicles and used 4-wheel drive vehicles to serve as make shift ambulances. Finally in the 1970’s the Avery County Rescue Squad, Inc got its first set of HURST tools “Jaws of Life” from donations from the community and its neighbors. As time went on, we got a Crash Truck and several Ambulances. The Avery County Rescue Squad, Inc. handled transports provided Advanced Life Support, and Rescue Services until October of 1994 when Avery County formed The Avery County Emergency Medical Services. While Avery EMS now handles all Medical Transports, The Avery County Rescue Squad, Inc. provides the Avery EMS with Medical Transport Back-Up when all the EMS units are tied up. We also provide several other rescue services such as:

Vehicle and Machinery Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Dive, Search and Rescue, Carry-Outs, Ice Rescue, and Medical Treatment.

We now have a 2008 Ford F-550 Crash Truck, 2006 Ford F-350 Rescue and Medical Response Truck, 1997 Ford F-350 Ambulance, 24’ Water Rescue / Dive Trailer, and a Wilderness Trailer. As you can see, we have made great strides in upgrading our equipment and training to better serve Avery County, and we owe it all to your help!

P.S.

This Site is UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Please pardon our mess.

-Kyle & Nicole