WE ARE STRASBURG

Below is a press release authorized by President Gary Dalton of the Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc. from our corporate counsel, the law firm of Arthur, Allamong & Brown, Strasburg, VA. 

PRESS RELEASE

Strasburg, Virginia

April 16, 2009

The Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc. was formed in 1964 and for 45 years has been the epitome of an America volunteer organization.  The Rescue Squad, along with the Strasburg Fire Department, has been held in the highest regard in the Town of Strasburg and the surrounding community. The Rescue Squad has been staffed over the years by dedicated community volunteers who have delivered exemplary service and who have been responsible stewards of the generous financial support received from the citizens of the Strasburg area.  

Despite the Rescue Squad's long history of honorable service, the Board of Supervisors of Shenandoah County passed a "Resolution for the Dissolution of the Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc." on April 14, 2009.  This resolution attempted to dissolve the Rescue Squad and requested that all assets of the Rescue Squad be turned over to the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors.

Also on April 14, 2009, a complaint for injunctive relief was filed in the Circuit Court of Shenandoah County Virginia by the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors against the Rescue Squad asking the Court to appoint a receiver to hold, protect and dispose of the Squad's assets and for injunctive relief prohibiting transfer of the assets of the Rescue Squad to anyone before a receiver is appointed. This lawsuit was filed despite there being no allegation or even a hint of financial impropriety on the part of the Rescue Squad.

The Rescue Squad will answer the lawsuit and believes the Board of Supervisors had no authority under Virginia law to dissolve the Company.  The Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc. is a non-stock Virginia Corporation, chartered by the Virginia State Corporation Commission in 1964, and currently in good standing with the State Corporation Commission.  The Company was, and is, organized solely for charitable purposes and is a qualified tax-exempt company under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.  

With that said, the Rescue Squad recognizes the authority of the County to adopt ordinances to assure adequate and continuing emergency services and believes the County may provide for emergency services for any part of the County in addition to the existing Rescue Squad.  Nevertheless, this does not extend to the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors the authority to dissolve the Rescue Squad.

To a member, the entire complement of the Rescue Squad will tell you that they are stewards and guardians of the assets of the Company - that the building, vehicles, equipment, and bank account, all of which were acquired by donations of the citizens, both individual and corporate, of the area, are to be used in the future to assist in providing adequate and continuing emergency medical services to the people of Strasburg and the surrounding community.  

The continuing role of volunteer rescue squads in general, and the Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad specifically, in providing emergency services may be valid questions which should be debated fairly in a forum open to all interested parties, including members of the community. The Rescue Squad stands ready to discuss these matters with county representatives, or others, but to do so openly, without attempt at dissolution proceedings and injunctive orders which impugn the reputation of this fine service organization.