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Hard work pays off for members of Newton-Conover Rescue Squad

By Dee Henry | Hickory Daily Record

Published: June 10, 2009

NEWTON - A grant through the N.C. Department of Insurance will help the Newton-Conover Rescue Squad with recent improvements, all in the name of giving residents better service.

The grant gave the squad almost $20,000. It had to match an equal amount. Not only did the squad raise the match, but also enough money to complete a new station on East 27th Street, a more central location in Newton.

How did the squad raise the money for all the improvements?

"Lots of hamburgers," Lt. Dustin Frye said. "Lots of fundraisers."

The squad, Frye said, consists of 30 volunteers who cover the municipalities 19 of every 24 hours.

"We answered 195 calls just last month," Frye said.

Chief Henry Helton III said the grant covered replacements for some older equipment and new equipment, as well.

"The equipment we were using was still quality equipment and in good shape, but according to the manufacturers specifications, it's supposed to be retired in so many years," Helton said.

The replaced equipment had been used for five to seven years, Helton said.

Frye said some of the money was used for radios. The squad had replaced one-third of their radios last year and the rest this year. That amounted to 10 new pagers and five walkie-talkies.

Other equipment purchased with the grant money were a Stokes basket, used to carry victims at accident scenes; Frac Packs including splints; Yates harnesses, used to lift and lower accident victims; suction units and 14 defibrillators, one for each vehicle.

Some of the equipment was purchased for the county's USAR, or Urban Search and Rescue team, that specializes in finding and rescuing people in confined spaces, during a structural collapse or in the water.

Frye said the squad will continue to use its space in Newton on East First Street, just down from the Recreation Center, but is looking forward to the new home. Members are hoping to hold an open house at the new building later this month.

Helton said the squad has applied for grant money three times, and has received the requested amount each time.