ABOUT US

The BCRS is a non-profit United Way Agency that has been serving the citizens of Blount County since 1958.  BCRS is staffed completely by volunteers.  Our primary mission for Blount County is vehicle extrication using the Jaws of Life in motor vehicle accidents outside the city limits of Maryville and Alcoa.  We also provide water rescue services, such as dive and swift water rescues, as well as technical rescue using ropes and other hardware for rescues in mountainous or steep terrain.  We also respond to and coordinate searches in the county in the event of a lost or missing person.  We operate as a first response agency for medical emergencies and provide lifting assistance to those who have no medical emergency but occasionally need a helping hand up.  We offer free medical standby for area schools and sporting events, community clubs, and other events countywide.  These services are provided to you free of charge by our highly trained all-volunteer staff.

ABOUT OUR STAFF

We are governed by an all-volunteer board of directors and staffed by men and women of all ages who are dedicated to providing you with the best possible service, no matter what the nature of the incident.  We volunteer nearly 32,000 man-hours yearly.  Included in our membership are the future members of the rescue squad, our Explorer Post.  The post consists of youths from 14-18 years old who are interested in exploring a possible career in rescue, fire, or EMS.  They train alongside our members and respond with us on calls.  Our Explorers are not only learning rescue related techniques, but life skills and responsibility as well.  Our members respond to your needs with no less than complete training and certification in a variety of areas, including CPR, communications and map reading skills, vehicle extrication, emergency vehicle driving, and basic water, search, and technical rescue operations.  All of our classes are taught by instructors who are squad members and volunteer their time to train new members.  The Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads approves all of our training.  Our members volunteer because they care.  They have dedicated themselves as volunteers to provide you with the best possible rescue service, complete with the highest training and best equipment.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

As a member of the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (T.A.R.S.), our agency has the capability of providing this county with a statewide response of rescue squads to assist us in the event of a major disaster.  BCRS participates every year in a statewide rescue competition put on by T.A.R.S. with other squads throughout the state.  Each year Blount County consistently ranks in the top three in events such as vehicle extrication, technical rescue, and emergency medical care.  T.A.R.S. stands behind BCRS and will attest to the fact that we are one of the best rescue squads in the state of Tennessee.

We are a non-profit, all-volunteer agency providing all of these services free of charge.  We rely on funds received from United Way and the county to cover the basic costs of day to day operations, expenses, and insurance.  We rely on donations and contributions from the community we serve to continue to purchase and upgrade our equipment.  We appreciate the support each and every citizen has given to BCRS.

Email Webmaster:

Angela Moles