On August 29, 1968, a group of concerned citizens had a meeting at the American Legion Home to discuss the need for a rescue squad in the Gretna area. The local funeral home was discontinuing ambulance service dye stiff federal regulations and the high cost of operation as December 31, 1968. Martin called the meeting to order. Other concerned citizens present at the meeting were Jack G. Haymes, Jr., John Blair, Daniel Shelhorse, Hartwell Moss, Doug Huntley, H. Blair Reynolds, George Holley, Gene Shelton, Joe Kinsley, Irvin Buck Durham, Ernest Franklin, Carl Moran, Ronnie Hedrick, Donnie Rowland, Buddy Tuck, Pomp Berger, John L. Childress, Lionel Reynolds, James Towler, Maurice Oakes and James Keesee. The group decided there was a great need for a squad, so the formation of the Gretna Rescue Squad, Inc. was begun by electing officers and committees to work out the operating procedures and training. The first officers of the squad were: President - David Martin, Vice-President - Jack G. Moore, Secretary – A. Haymes, Treasurer – John Blair, Captain – Hartwell Moss, First Lieutenant – Doug Huntley, Second Lieutenant – H. Blair Reynolds, Sergeant – George Holley and Chaplain – Joe Kinsley. The following board of directors was elected: George Dawson, J. Aylor, Ed Ramsey, Jack Miller and Joe Kinsley. Alternates were Dr. H. Brown and Gordon Cocke. Carl Moran, owner of Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, donated a 1963 Oldsmobile ambulance valued at $3,000.00. A set of by-laws was approved and members of the Altavista and Danville Life Saving Crew instructed the courses needed before January 1, 1969. Our first ambulance was purchased in 1973 at a cost of $11,020.00 and our last new ambulance cost $135,758.00 purchased in 2004. The squad answered 300 calls in 1969 and 1330 calls in 2004. The squad used the fire department meeting room as its base until the squad purchased 5 acres of land August 1977. On October 9, 1978 Blair Construction received the bid for a new squad building. The squad moved into its new building on June 10, 1979. The squad building is located at 102 East Gretna Road. Charter members still on the roll are: H. Blair Reynolds, Daniel Shelhorse and Gene Shelton. The squad has 19 active members running calls to date. Thesupport of our citizens in our community made it possible for the squad to succeed in its endeavor to provide emergency medical services in the past 43 years. The dedicated volunteer members over the years have touched the lives of many people giving emergency medical care to our citizens and making our community a great place to call home. Article By: Gene Shelton
Updated By: Wyatt Mayhew
Source: Gretna Rescue Squad History Book
