ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Rescue Squad-Rockingham Unit will host an open house next Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. as it celebrates its 65th anniversary.
The event will feature live music along with on-site food and beverage trucks, including The Taco Factory, SodaFusion, McKinnon’s BBQ & Soul and Puckered Up Lemonade. T-shirts will also be sold for $25 in sizes small through extra-large, with additional sizes available for an extra $10.
Rescue Lt. Heather Bellamy said the milestone reflects decades of service and volunteer commitment.
“Reaching 65 years of service is a major milestone, especially for a volunteer based organization. The stand alone rescue squads are a dying breed into today’s world due to fire departments providing medical and rescue courage,” Bellamy said.
She said the celebration is intended both to honor past members and to connect with the community.
“The celebration is really about honoring the generations of members who built the squad from the ground up, recognizing the lives impacted over the decades, and reconnecting with the community that has supported us every step of the way. It’s also an opportunity to open our doors, show people what we do and hopefully inspire the next generation to get involved.”
Bellamy said the rescue squad began in 1961 to address gaps in emergency medical transport and rescue services and has since expanded significantly in scope and capability.
Like many rescue organizations across North Carolina, the Richmond County unit has grown from basic first aid and transport services into a multi-skilled response agency. Today, it includes 18 state-certified emergency medical technicians and provides vehicle extrication, rope rescue, water rescue and confined space rescue operations, along with agriculture rescue capabilities. Two members also hold dive rescue and dive tender certifications.
One of the unit’s newer initiatives is its drone program, known as Remote Aviation Pilot Team for Operations & Rescue, or “R.A.P.T.O.R.” The team includes six FAA-certified drone operators who completed FAA Part 107 training and hold federal remote pilot certifications.
As operations have modernized, Bellamy said the squad has expanded its fleet to include two ambulances, one command vehicle, one quick response vehicle, three rescue trucks — including a walk-in heavy rescue unit — and three boats.
Training standards have also increased, with members required to complete a minimum of 36 training hours annually. The squad also supports members pursuing additional certifications, including EMT, emergency medical responder and technical rescue training.
The unit works closely with county fire and EMS agencies and assists at structure fires when requested, often serving in a rehab capacity for firefighters. It also provides transport services for the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office to local and state morgue facilities when needed.
Bellamy said honoring past members remains central to the organization’s identity.
“Honoring past members is a huge part of the culture. We have memorials and plaques hanging in the station for members that have passed away while they were active members on the roster.
There are many picture throughout the years also hanging on the walls. The door is alway open for the “Old School Rescue” to visit, share stories and to make sure the traditions passed down through the generations. We see this as carrying forward a legacy—not just operating a service.”
She said the open house is also an opportunity to strengthen ties with the community that supports the squad.
“It means everything. Rescue squads exist because of their communities—through donations, volunteer support, and trust. Events like this are a chance to say “thank you” and to strengthen that connection,” Bellamy said. “It also gives people a chance to see the equipment and demonstrations, meet the members behind the calls, and understand how the service works. But, most importantly, it reminds everyone that this is their rescue squad.”
Looking ahead, Bellamy said the squad’s goals include continued recruitment and expanded training opportunities.
“The squads goals for the next five years is to continue to grow in our active members and continue to push for every member in their educational journey to better our department with certifications. We also want the community to know that our squad is dedicated to serving and protecting them with the resources that we have available to us.
We are always taking applications for new members and continue to have opportunities to train and learn new things in the rescue world!”
The open house will also include hands-on stations for attendees. Activities include a blood pressure station where participants can learn to take a manual reading, a rope rescue demonstration featuring a “Z-drag” system and a vehicle stabilization station for attendees ages 16 and older.