A Special “Thank You” for Our First Responders

A Special “Thank You” for Our First Responders

A Special “Thank You” for Our First Responders   

By Diane M. Loeffler

On Wednesday, December 22, a group of Kings Point and Sun City Center Community Association residents met in the lobby of South Bay Hospital to donate money to three groups of first responders. Todd Carnell, the Rescue Chief of the Hillsborough County Fire Department, Mike Bardell, the Chief of the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, and Sheldon Barr, the South Bay CEO accepted donations on behalf of their organizations.

Kings Point resident Bill Barker says, “I came up with the idea to put on a performance to raise money for first responders, then Linda Stone took the bull by the horns.” A group of Kings Point Follies and Pelican Players actors, actresses, singers, directors and organizers put together a show. They were concerned about how many tickets they might sell for the November 19 event and were very happy when 316 people came. This allowed them to present $1,056 checks to each of the organizations.

Barker says “We put the whole show together without any expense. VESTA allowed us to use the space at no cost.” All the money went to the SCC Fire Department, Emergency Squad, and South Bay Hospital.

The recipients were grateful for the donations. Each has something special in mind for the funds. South Bay Hospital is using the money to enhance their in-house caregivers’ sanctuary room. The sanctuary room is a space where caregivers can go to take a break, relax, and regroup.

The Hillsborough County Fire Department sponsors a cadet youth fire program. They are earmarking the funds for the cadets’ travel and food expenses while they compete against other cadets from other locations.

The SCC Emergency Squad is using their donation toward the replacement of lift mechanisms. These mechanisms lift stretchers into the back of ambulances and must be in good working condition.

Thank you to everyone who made the donations possible, and thank you to the first responders who serve our communities so well.

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A National Award for our Emergency Squad and All of Us

A National Award for our Emergency Squad and All of Us

A National Award for our Emergency Squad and All of Us

By Diane M. Loeffler

Congratulations to the Sun City Center Emergency Squad. The nation has recognized what we already know, our squad is amazing! Actually, we are all amazing because we support our Squad in so many ways.

On August 12, we learned that our local Emergency Squad (Squad) was recognized nationally as “Volunteer Rescue Squad” of the year for “Outstanding Service and Professionalism.” The award was given by the professional organization representing Emergency Medical Squads, EMS WORLD. The Squad received a plaque and $1,000. The September EMS WORLD journal will have an article about the Squad.

In a recorded statement, Chief Mike Bardell said, “It is an honor to be selected for such a prestigious award. In times that we find ourselves in, you begin to wonder will it ever end. Being recognized at this time certainly makes you feel you’ve made a difference. On behalf of the over 400 volunteers, I accept and thank you for this award.”

Bardell adds, “This award is for everyone, not just the Squad. It is for the community that supports us and all of the people who went before.”

As of September 2020, the Squad has been serving area residents for 56 years.

Assistant Chief of Communications, Robin Watt, says, “We would like to thank all of our volunteers as well as our community. Without the continued support of our residents, we would not be here. But I also think the leadership of our Chief, Deputy and Assistant Chiefs, the Chief Financial Officer and Board play a large role.” She adds, “This award speaks to the community support we have gotten for so long.”

Most of the Emergency Squad volunteers are residents of Sun City Center’s Community Association and Kings Point. Others come from the community at large, Sebring, Orlando, Pasco County, Manatee County and the University of Southern Florida.

 

Who Else is Recognizing Our Squad?

A radio program in San Francisco interviewed Chief Bardell and others. The Squad was also talked about on PBS Front Line. Speaking of the volunteers, Bardell says, “I am glad they are getting the recognition they deserve.”

Over the years, our Emergency Squad has had visitors from as close as The Villages and as far away as overseas. They all want to know how the Squad operates and how to set up something similar in their communities.

 

Working with Colleges

Did you know that Hillsborough County Community College students accompany our Squad sometimes? They are students studying to be EMTs or Paramedics who are required to ride along for 36 hours. Bardell says, “These are the people who will someday care for us. From us, they learn to listen. Really listening to patients is a culture in this squad. If someone is dying, how are you going to go about caring for them and making them feel not alone? They learn by example to calm the patients and to do things like drive 5 m.p.h. over speed bumps when transporting someone with a broken hip. We teach them to be considerate. This will make them more compassionate in the future.”

 

Operating in the Time of COVID-19

Being appreciated is always a good feeling. During this time of quarantines, masks, and restrictions, many of us have had a difficult time being happy and optimistic. Receiving a national award is a real boost for the Squad at a time when we could all use some good news.

Speaking of good news, there have been no cases of COVID-19 in the Squad. The Squad continues to take the temperatures of everyone who enters the building and  to practice advanced safety precautions. Robin Watt says, “We have three people in here every day to oversee protocols to keep people and equipment safe.” These measures are monitored and overseen by Tina Drury, Deputy Chief in Charge of Operations, Shirley Bardell, Chief of Education and Medical, and Chief Mike Bardell.

Bardell says, “When the virus hit, I thought we would have to shut down. If we don’t have volunteers, we don’t exist. People still have strokes, people still fall down, would we have the volunteers we needed? By March 12, I knew we would be fine.”

Drury says, “We had some volunteers opt out and some are doing different jobs, but most volunteers are continuing as usual. If the schedule is tight for a shift, people have volunteered to come in an extra day.”

Additional volunteers are always needed. Training programs continue with all safety measures in place. Human Resources Director, Assistant Chief Chris McCann works with volunteers. She asked one trainee, “Do you feel safe?” The answer was, “Absolutely. I don’t have any fear at all.”

 

And the Story Continues

Recently a crew of 30-somethings visited our Squad for two days. The intent was to make a documentary about the Squad continuing during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Bardell says, “You should have seen the look on their faces when they saw the volunteers. They were surprised at the ages of the volunteers and the enthusiasm they saw.” One cannot help but wonder, in the end will the documentary focus more on the virus or on the great things seniors in a volunteer-based community can do?

 

Did You Know?

The average age of the 400 Emergency Squad volunteers is 72. The Emergency Squad is the only all-volunteer, all free ambulance service in the state. It doesn’t accept insurance and doesn’t use any tax money. It is completely funded by the community.

The Squad owns its building in front of the shopping strip and also the training center on South Pebble Beach Boulevard. The main building was constructed by Del Webb in 1964. Over the years, it has been expanded and updated. The training center was donated to the Squad by the former volunteer fire department.

Emergency Squad volunteers are trained and have ongoing education to keep their certification and update their knowledge. Volunteers report a feeling of camaraderie and family.

You can borrow wheelchairs, walkers and other assistive items for free.

The Squad works with other organizations to educate people about health concerns and disaster preparedness. They also offer fall prevention presentations, Stop the Bleed training, and CPR training. They work with the University of South Florida Institute for Government and Business on community needs assessments.

Squad members are active participants in emergency squad related meetings and committees both at the state and county level. Call Chris McCann at 813-634-1411 for information on how to become a part of the neighbor helping neighbor family.

The Sun City Center Emergency Squad were recognized by the county commissioners in 2016 and 2020. On June, 2013 they were recognized by the Florida Council on Aging as the top EMS agency in the state for its service to seniors. Most recently, they have won the Volunteer Rescue Squad of the Year for Outstanding Service and Professionalism.

On behalf of grateful people throughout the area, thank you, Emergency Squad Volunteers. You are the best.

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55 Years of Service: Our Amazing Emergency Squad   

55 Years of Service: Our Amazing Emergency Squad   

55 Years of Service: Our Amazing Emergency Squad

By Diane M. Loeffler

 

On the afternoon of September 25, the SCC Emergency Squad held a party with cake and coffee to celebrate 55 years of helping others. What an accomplishment!

Did you know that our Emergency Squad is the only volunteer squad in the entire state of Florida? Literally, around the world people have asked how Sun City Center has managed to establish and successfully run an emergency squad that provides free services to area residents. Representatives from as close as The Villages to as far away as China have toured the Squad and inquired as to how they might establish a similar service.

During the September celebration, Megan Nixon, a representative of Commissioner White, presented Emergency Squad Chief Mike Bardell with a framed letter of Commendation reading in part, “on the occasion of its 55th anniversary of providing high quality emergency services to the Greater Sun City Center community, a model of Neighbors Helping Neighbors.”

Since John Bowker has the longest tenure of anyone, he and his wife, Linda, were given the honor of joining Megan Nixon in cutting the first piece of cake.

Many training items were on display. Ted Adamczyk demonstrated how to perform CPR on an adult and on a baby. The dummies he used are equipped with lights that clearly let you know if the depth or the speed of your compressions is right.

Would you be interested in taking a class in CPR, fall prevention, or stopping the bleed? Contact Karen Shirley Bardell, Assistant Chief of Education and Medical at 633-1411. Whenever there is sufficient demand, classes will be offered. You don’t have to volunteer for the squad to take them.

If you have a walker, wheelchair or other mobility device you no longer need, you may donate the items to The Emergency Squad. The Squad’s maintenance people sanitize, repair and service these items. Area residents may then borrow them as needed.

The Emergency Squad has grown from 14 individuals trained in first aid back in 1964 to over 400 volunteers today. The growth has been amazing, but the squad still needs more people to volunteer and / or donate in order to continue to serve us all. If you are interested, stop by the Emergency Squad Training Center at 124 South Pebble Beach Boulevard at 6 p.m on the second Wednesday of every month or call 813 633-1411. No prior medical background is required to become a part of this amazing organization.

 

IN THE PHOTO: On behalf of Commissioner Stacy White, Megan Nixon presented a certificate of commendation.

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The September 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The September 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue…

Get some vital hurricane planning information; hear from the Long Term Planning Committee; meet SCC Librarian Joanne Gilray, and find out what’s available at our community library; ‘get off the couch’ and have fun with the bicycle club; get the latest on proposed changes to Hillsborough County solid waste disposal; discover something new and amazing at the Dali Museum; meet some vital behind-the-scenes Emergency Squad volunteers; check out the winners of the summer photo club contest; meet an incredibly creative painter; get to know SCC’s new veterinarian; travel to a galaxy far, far away just down the interstate in Orlando; and meet some neighbors with a Family Connection to SCC.

Then be sure to…

Check out the SCC Bulletin, Kings Point, Community News, Dance, Military News, Faith & Service, Arts, Sports, Travel, and South County Events sections to help you plan your month. And travel with your friends and neighbors who took The News around the world.

Read the September 2019 Issue of The News

Receding and Reaching Out

Receding and Reaching Out

Receding and Reaching Out By E. Adam Porter When you hear phrases like “worst in a century” or “first time in generations,” those descriptors can feel like an abstraction. Sure, they mean something, but is it something we can really fathom? Something we...

October 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press

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In this issue… Take a Brief Trip to Albuquerque, then stroll down memory lane to the beginning of SCC on Cherry Hills, get the latest LRPC Update, save the date for “Hi, Neighbor!”, learn about Little Free Libraries, hear All About the Bees,...

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Back  to School Back to NatureJust the way it should be in Camp Bayou   By Gezil Andrews I’ve been in the area three-plus years so Camp Bayou was a new venue for me – After my first visit, this weekend, I rated it “well worth the wait!”  I visited the camp...

SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Get back to nature, cruise around on three wheels, uncover a secret from the past, meet the SCC Maintenance Team, cheer on some lawn bowlers, cruise on an airboat, read about a hero, and take two different paths to the past. Then...

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