Bethesda (Map, News) - With its number of emergency calls steadily increasing, Montgomery County’s largest and arguably most successful volunteer fire force is looking for 100 new volunteers this year.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, which was started in 1937, has in the past several decades expanded in every measure so that it now provides emergency service to about one-tenth of the county and has become a national model for volunteer fire organizations.

Kumar Vaswani, who has been with the squad for the past 20 years, said volunteers constantly cycle in and out of their roles but that now, more than ever, recruitment is key.

“We’re spending more time growing our organization,” he said, noting that the current number of volunteers is about 150. “The number of calls we’ve run keeps going up every year; we had 11,000 calls last year.”

Those requests for help span from medical situations, like heart attacks, to motor vehicle accidents to activated alarm systems. The squad, part of the county’s fire service, has a large, downcounty turf that includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase and even a small section of Northwest D.C.

According to Vaswani, the agency’s $1.4-million budget is entirely generated through private donations and fundraising.

“We just finished an annual door to door fundraising campaign which brings in over half of that budget,” he said. “We don’t use paid solicitors; our volunteers go to every house in our area, and we do mailings to apartment buildings. It’s very much a case of neighbors helping neighbors.”

As for the volunteers, they mainly come from the Bethesda and Chevy Chase neighborhoods. Vaswani said literally anyone can sign up, so long as they can make it through the usually yearlong rigorous training required and 12-hour weekly minimum mandated shift.

The minimum age of a volunteer is 16, but anyone under 18 would be admitted as part of the junior squad, unable to lead a rescue effort. Vaswani said there are members exceeding 60 years old, and their day jobs are as varied as the age range.

He personally joined out of a desire to help his hometown.

“It was almost like fulfilling a childhood dream,” Vaswani said.

To access the volunteer hotline, call 301-657-5557.

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

12:14 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 5, 2008 re: "Firefighters uncover marijuana at Mission district fire"

Seven said:
In the Mission, the surprise would be if they DIDN'T find marijuana.

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8:11 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 18, 2008 re: "Fire spreads through Mission apartments"

Examiner Reader said:
I live just one block from the Valencia fire i would like to give massive credit to the SFFD for the way they handled this fire.. Way to go guys and gals...

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7:22 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 17, 2008 re: "Man�s grudge vanishes as blaze begins"

Eddie House said:
I would like to know why the police & fire department refused to investigate and take action against the tenants that discarded cigarettes onto my boat cover, on the dry grass area around my stack of firewood. On two occasions I found burned wood laminate strips placed on my deck and dry grass near the boat. But most of all want to know why after 12 or more false calls of burning trash � and the city knows damn well they were FALSE CALLS as they broke into my home only to find firewood in the EPA woodstove� WHY DID YOU CONTINUE TO HARRASS ME ? AND NOT TAKE ACTION ON THE TENANTS THAT MADE THESE FALSE CALLS OF TRASH BEING BURNED?

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10:08 PM MST on Wed., Mar. 12, 2008 re: "Man�s grudge vanishes as blaze begins"

Examiner Reader said:
When your being evicted from your apartment, you go out with a blaze of glory ? Or just another attempt to set fire to his boat that went all to wrong ? No cleaning or security depost refund for you ! But you are entitled to free room & board at the county jail !.

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10:53 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 7, 2007 re: "Chief took $1,200 trip from Motorola"

Examiner Reader said:
I better watch out! I'll try not to cry... When Santa Claus comes to town I'll be wearing a frown when reporters get wind that; Citizens "took" gifts...instead of ; Citizens "received" gifts... Geeze!

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6:33 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 28, 2007 re: "Montgomery group homes seek help from county for fire safety"

Examiner Reader said:
Very interesting and informative article. In Nashville Tn group home providers with less than 8 clients with disabilities are now required to have sprinkler system and many will close due to a lack funds. Who can I contact to get assistance? Perrion Gordon

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12:18 PM MST on Sun., Jul. 29, 2007 re: "Widow of firefighter remembers her husband"

Examiner Reader said:
i am allans daughter kaitlyn and i just wanted to say that he will be forever missed and that he loved doing wat he was i never loved any one theway a daughter loves a father. love, kaitlyn roberts

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3:43 PM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007 re: "Chief took $1,200 trip from Motorola"

Examiner Reader said:
Who cares?

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7:05 AM MST on Mon., May. 14, 2007 re: "Chief took $1,200 trip from Motorola"

Examiner Reader said:
Why is this a story? It was $1,200 and the city reviewed and approved. Sounds like someone is trying to make something out of nothing. Shame on you.

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7:17 AM MST on Tue., May. 8, 2007 re: "Five victims of Harford house fire identified by the fire marshal"

Precious Jenkins said:
i am one of the nieces of the decreased and the cousin of the mother. this is and was a terrible fire that took 5 members of our family. annette was my father's youngest sister and one of my godmother. my father just had lost a sister 1 year and 4 days before. and now he only have one sister. this fire made our family feel that life to short to be walking around and not talking and loving your family members. a family that prays together says together!!!

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