Rescue squad back on its feet

If you’ve attended West Island events like the Becket Players show in the spring, the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation’s Duck Race last month, or Dorval’s Canada Day celebrations in Millennium Park, you may have noticed a group of people dressed in orange, keeping a watchful eye over the day’s activities.

Despite their heated resignation from their duties in the City of Beaconsfield in January, the members of the former Beaconsfield Volunteer Rescue Squad (BVRS) are back in action in the West Island as Lakeshore Volunteer Rescue (LVR).

“(After resigning), we spoke about what we wanted to do, how we wanted to proceed, if we still had the drive to do it – which everybody did,” said Jenn Tardiff, LVR’s medical captain. “We didn’t really want to stop what we were doing.”

Apparently, neither did local community organizations: only two weeks after making the decision to stay together, the LVR started getting calls about volunteering their services at a number of events.

As the previous BVRS, the team made up of 15 active specially trained volunteers and a number of part-time members would, among other things, pump out flooded basements, help clean up immediate dangers from fallen trees and assist with downed power lines, provide water rescue and marine assistance, as well as search and rescue on land and water. They were also present at many municipal events, such as Canada Day celebrations and sports events to provide emergency services when needed.

Today, the members have switched from their old navy blue uniforms to the more visible orange ones, and continue to operate independently, providing additional security and medical support at a number of West Island events.

Although they had to leave some of their equipment, such as vehicles, with the City of Beaconsfield when they decided to resign, LVR assistant director Edwin Rouppe van der Voort said things have been moving slowly but surely since the reorganization.

“Like anything volunteer, these things take time,” he said. “Of course, there are some disappointments. You have no budget. But, we hope we can get to companies and get sponsorship, and in turn help them (at events).”

While the LVR is currently providing their services for larger community events, van der Voort added the squad would like to raise money to buy more equipment so that, in time, they will be able to pump out basements and help individuals. This vision is part of a plan for a West Island-wide rescue squad the team had before resigning from Beaconsfield, something they hope to carry on as the LVR.

“I think there’s always room for improvement. But, I’m happy to say the squad that left Beaconsfield, give or take one or two members, is still together,” van der Voort said. “We’re very proud of what we have.”

For more information on Lakeshore Volunteer Rescue, e-mail info.sblvr@gmail.com.