Longwood gets first look at Prince Edward Rescue Squad's new trailer

The Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad recently unveiled its new mass casualty incident trailer to the Longwood community. Longwood and Hampden-Sydney College donated significant funds towards the purchase of the trailer, which is specifically designed to handle incidents in which large numbers of victims are present.

The trailer operates on the triage principle and stocks bulk quantities of emergency medical supplies to allow for quick and efficient treatment and transport of victims to care facilities. Color-coded bins that conform to nationally recognized triage colors hold the equipment and supplies (enough to treat 100 people) and aid in the dispersion of supplies in a timely manner.

From left: Russell Dove, John Thompson, Pinkey Baldwin, Ben Sears, Bill Hogan, Tim Pierson, Bob Beach, Dan Dillon

Longwood officials taking a tour of the trailer were Dr. Tim Pierson, vice president for student affairs; Bob Beach, chief of police and director of public safety; Dan Dillon, director of environmental health and safety and emergency management; Russell Dove, administrative sergeant with Longwood police and rescue squad life member; John Thompson, investigator with Longwood police and rescue squad life member; Ben Sears, fire and life safety officer and rescue squad life member; and Pinkey Baldwin, compliance/safety officer and rescue squad life member.

“I hope we never have to use it,” said squad president Bill Hogan of the 22-foot white trailer that displays words “Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad Mass Casualty Unit.” The Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College logos are displayed on the corners of the truck.

Ben Sears, a 2007 Longwood graduate and second lieutenant with the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad, wrote the proposal to solicit funding for the purchase of the trailer. “This trailer serves to remind the community of the commitment by Hampden-Sydney College and Longwood University to ensure the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors, as well as the Farmville area as a whole,” said Sears.