THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602230167
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Chesapeake Sheriff John R. Newhart commended the 43rd Virginia Volunteer Search and Rescue Company Wednesday for its ``standards and skills and especially the spirit of caring and involvement in the community.''
The company, an auxiliary unit with the Chesapeake sheriff's department since 1994, is the only all-volunteer search-and-rescue unit attached to a sheriff's department on the East Coast.
The group, which was formerly known as the Carlos Hathcock Ranger Company, has no law-enforcement authority. Prior to joining the sheriff's department, the unit was with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol.
Col. J.E. Saunders, the group's commander, said the Rangers made the change from the Civil Air Patrol to the sheriff's department to be of more help on a local level.
Saunders, a Chesapeake police captain, said members are trained according to U.S. Army Ranger guidelines and drill for quick response to emergencies and difficult-terrain rescue.
The company's members are from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Franklin, North Carolina and Chesapeake and from all walks of life such as doctors, lawyers, sheriff' deputies, teachers, secretaries and mechanics. All branches of the military are also represented, but a military background is not necessary for membership, Saunders said.
``If you have a willingness to learn and the dedication and the commitment to serve and help others, we will provide the training,'' Saunders said. ``We believe in leadership, responsibility and helping others.'' MEMO: For details about the 43rd Virginia Volunteer Search and Rescue Company,
call 437-4265.
by CNB