Benton County Rescue Squad

10/05/2026

Benton County Rescue Squad Attends 71st Annual TARS Convention

Several members from the Benton County Rescue Squad (BCRS) attended the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (TARS) 71st Annual Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Music Road Hotel and Convention Center hosted the annual event where rescue squads from across the state gathered together to conduct business meetings, attend seminars, and participate in hands-on training opportunities.

BCRS member attendees included, Captain Dwayne Presson, Unit Director John Beasley, Jeff Pierce, Jeff Oatsvall, Gene Wellington, Stacy Wellington, and Michael Bongiovanni. Lifetime Member and former TARS State President David Tuck also attended.

BCRS members, Gene Wellington and Michael Bongiovanni both participated in live vehicle extrication training where they worked alongside partner rescue agencies in performing extrication operations scenarios. Michael Bongiovanni stated, “The training scenarios were challenging, but the lessons learned in these training sessions can be applied when called upon to respond to vehicle accidents in Benton County.”

Captain Presson and Unit Director Beasley both attended the TARS Board of Directors meeting on Friday, October 2nd, to review and discuss agenda topics to help lead the continued progress of TARS to ensure modern rescue training programs are being developed and made available to TARS member agencies and to ensure every rescue squad across the state can provide critical rescue services to the communities they serve.

On Saturday, October 3rd, BCRS members attended the 2026 TARS Memorial Service to honor and remember rescue squad personnel from member agencies who have died during the past year. This solumn service memorializes their sacrifices and selfless service to the communities they served.

Following the memorial service, members attended the TARS Annual Business Meeting to elect new TARS State Officers. BCRS members Jeff Pierce and Jeff Oatsvall provided ballot security and assisted in vote tallies for the TARS election process.

The TARS Banquet and Awards Ceremony culminated the convention activities on Saturday, October 3rd. Several TARS member units were nominated and selected for awards recognizing their distinguished service to TARS, lifetime achievements, and contributions to their respective communities.

The Benton County Rescue Squad is staffed by dedicated volunteers from the community who continually train to be able to respond to many types of accidents. In addition to vehicle extrication, the BCRS provides other vital services to the residents of Benton County including farm rescue, water rescue and recovery, land searches, and trench rescue.

09/19/2026

Members of the Benton County Rescue Squad had the opportunity to attend the Aircraft Emergency Response Training at the Benton County Airport along with local fire departments and other emergency response agencies from Benton County, on Saturday, September 19th. This training program was coordinated by Rita Haslam, manager of the Benton County Airport, and was supported by Air Evac Lifeteam and Hospital Wing. Training was provided by Visionary Aviation Academy and the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Association Working Group. Breakfast and lunch were provided by Apex Bank of Camden.

Class attendees had the opportunity to walk around aircraft on display and learn about the different components of the aircraft. Incident command, scene management, rescue, and firefighting scenarios were discussed to help responding agencies plan, prepare, and respond to aircraft emergencies.

The Benton County Rescue Squad is grateful for this opportunity to train with area first responders, as it helps our personnel be better prepared to respond to incidents and serve our community, and special thanks to Rita Haslam for planning this event.

The Benton County Rescue Squad is staffed by dedicated volunteers from the community who continually train to be able to respond to many types of accidents. In addition to vehicle extrication, the BCRS provides other vital services to the residents of Benton County including farm rescue, water rescue and recovery, land searches, and trench rescue.

John Beasley, Unit Director
Benton County Rescue Squad

08/10/2026

That’s a wrap y’all! Thanks for coming to see us at the food booth this year. Your support helps us remain ready to serve 24/7/365. 👊

We always enjoy spending time with you and catching up. We’ll see y’all next year!😎

Benton County TN Fair

08/08/2026

WE ARE OPEN!
What a great night to come to the Benton County TN Fair!
Come on down and get a bite to eat, ride some rides, listen to some music, see some bull riding, and enjoy the fireworks!

05/18/2026

Rescue Squad Week
This week, we recognize the dedicated men and women of rescue squads across Tennessee and beyond who answer the call day and night — often without hesitation and without recognition.

From vehicle extrications and water rescues to search operations and disaster response, rescue squad personnel stand ready to serve their communities during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Thank you to every volunteer, career responder, family member, and supporter who makes this mission possible. Your commitment, sacrifice, and service do not go unnoticed.

Join us this week in honoring our rescue squads and the lifesaving work they do every single day.

03/12/2026

02/23/2026

Apex Bank of Camden recently hosted a trauma training class for the Benton County Rescue Squad (BCRS) at the Apex Bank community center. Gary Greer and fellow Apex team members provided catfish dinners to all BCRS members in attendance. Apex Bank of Camden has been a big supporter of the BCRS over the years by providing donations and the use of their facilities for training.

The trauma class was conducted by Jessalyn Parker, Flight Nurse with Air Evac Lifeteam 37 based in Waverly, Tennessee. Jessalyn has over 12 years experience as a nurse, and 5 years flying with Air Evac providing emergency medical care to Benton and surrounding counties.

The Benton County Rescue Squad is staffed by dedicated volunteers from the community who continually train to be able to respond to many types of accidents. In addition to vehicle extrication, the BCRS provides other vital services to the residents of Benton County including farm rescue, water rescue and recovery, land searches, and trench rescue.

12/31/2025

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

The Benton County Rescue Squad wishes to thank the Camden Elk Lodge, BPOE 2156 for their support and their generous donation in 2025. BCRS Unit Director, John Beasley accepted the donation on behalf of the rescue squad and stated, “This donation helps the rescue squad in carrying out our mission in serving the citizens of Benton County, and we are very grateful for the continued support from the Elks Lodge. They are well known for investing in and supporting our local community.”

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) was established in 1868 in New York, and now has Elks Lodges in communities all over the United States. They are well known for their community investment programs, scholarship programs, and veteran support initiatives.

The BCRS is staffed by dedicated volunteers from the community who continually train to be able to respond to many types of accidents. In addition to vehicle extrication, the BCRS provides other vital services to the residents of Benton County including farm rescue, water rescue and recovery, land searches, and trench rescue.

Pictured below:

From Left Front Row: Keith Baker, Gayle Gossett, John Beasley, Robert Barker, Linda Wilhelm, Nick Jarding, and Michael Fox.

From Left Back Row: John Aykroid, Jackie Holland, Cobey Barker, Sherry Wright, Meleny Barker, and Butch Brann.