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Back then, a small group of men would patrol the streets in their own unmarked vehicles, keeping a watchful eye for criminal activity and emergency situations. By the year 2000, the organization had grown into something more than those men could have ever imagined - with a top-notch fleet of 14 ambulances, 2 staff cars, and a rescue truck. In 1967, Larry Pendry of the High Point Police Department asked the members of the High Point CB Club if they would be interested in assisting with directing traffic, control of crowds, and providing first aid at various events.
Mr. Boyd said, "The residential break-ins were also out of control. People were waking up and discovering that they had been robbed while they were sleeping." In the meantime, the group saw the need for a Rescue Squad for the High Point area, and worked toward that goal. In August 1971, they received a charter and nonprofit status as the The original 6 Squad members also enrolled in both the N.C. Rescue Institute and the N.C. Rescue College at Chapel Hill in 1971, and graduated in 1975.
it received its Charter in 1971 were: Bill Osborne became Chief in 1974, and served in that capacity until his death on March 14, 1999. Charles Boyd said, "Bill was the High Point Rescue Squad. He was there from the beginning. He was a charter signer. He was there until his death." Although Charles Boyd discontinued his active rescue activities in 1977, he remained involved with the Rescue Squad within the corporate structure. In that same year, the Rescue Squad was franchised as an Ambulance Service by Guilford County. Following the death of Bill Osborne, the Chief's position was assumed by Paula Lineberry in March 1999. She became one of only a few female Rescue Squad Chiefs in the State of North Carolina at that time. Prior to being appointed to the Chief's position, Ms. Lineberry had served as Assistant Chief under Bill Osborne from 1993 to 1999, after having joined the High Point Rescue Squad on October 12, 1988. She first began working on an ambulance as a volunteer in 1985. Prior to that, she had volunteered for a local Fire Department in Kimesville, and attended school in 1982 with the goal of becoming a medical secretary. Chief Lineberry said, "It's very unique to see a female in the position that I hold. Sometimes it's been tough." However, Charles Boyd and other colleagues said that she was doing an excellent job. Through the years, the Rescue Squad formed strong working relationships with many other area Emergency Service providers, including Guilford County EMS. "We run as a backup to them," said Chief Lineberry. "If they run out of units or we're closer to the call, we're there to help out." Charles Boyd said that he had been told many times by Charlie Porter, Director of Guilford County Emergency Services, that he didn't know what he would do without the Rescue Squad. In 1980, the Squad achieved a milestone by moving into a new Headquarters building at 901 South Elm Street. That new building provided much more room to park vehicles both inside and outside, along with additional office and training rooms. Charles Boyd said that John Davis, President of Davis Furniture Company, for whom the building is dedicated, largely deserves credit for the new building's financing. Mr. Davis was given a plaque in 1979 which declared him an Honorary Life Member of the High Point Rescue Squad. "If it had not been for his kind heart and giving nature, we couldn't have moved nearly as rapidly as we did," said Mr. Boyd. "He was a tremendous supporter."
In 1998, the name was changed from In 1999 approximately 16,000 calls for service were answered. In addition to responding on emergency calls, those calls include transporting patients to their doctor's office or nursing homes. PTAR also provides convalescent transport services, and has traveled as far as to Chicago and Ohio in the past, and frequently travels to Virginia on an almost daily basis. By July 2000, PTAR had grown to a staff of approximately 50 employees, and 25 volunteers, operating a fleet of 14 top-notch Ambulances, 1 Rescue Truck, 2 Staff Cars, and a couple of Boats, along with a full complement of rescue and first-aid equipment. In 2004, those numbers had increased even more, to a staff of roughly 70 full-time and part-time employees, including several office staff members, and about 25 Volunteers, 16 ALS Licensed Ambulances, 1 Rescue Truck, 3 Boats, 1 Wheelchair Van, 1 Emergency Support Vehicle, and 3 Staff Vehicles. Charlie Porter said, "If the County had to do those things, we would need a whole new staff of employees and ambulances to handle those calls. They play a vital part in our service and what we do." "It's been a tremendous relationship," said Charles Boyd. "It's just like we were melded together. Everyone in Guilford County has benefited from the efforts." PTAR also works closely with the High Point Police Department by providing support for their Tactical Team, providing lighting for DWI checkpoints and remaining on standby at the scene of hostage situations. In addition, PTAR works with the High Point Fire Department to remain on standby with an ambulance on fire scenes, and at rookie firefighter training sessions. "We do the stuff that will pull them (Guilford County EMS) out of the County and wouldn't allow them to deal with the big emergencies," said Chief Lineberry. In addition to PTAR's Headquarters location in High Point, it operates two (2) other base stations in Greensboro, and runs calls throughout Guilford County, Davidson County, and Randolph County. In April 2007, PTAR opened another base station at 2011 Sandy Ridge Road, near the River Landing Retirement Community, in Colfax, N.C. Although PTAR is one of the largest Rescue Squads in the State of North Carolina, and has received several requests to serve other Counties, Chief Lineberry said there is such a thing as too much growth. "We don't want to take on too much and hurt the quality of our service," she said. "We don't want quantity over quality." Charles Boyd agreed with Chief Lineberry, and said that PTAR serves the area it should be dedicated to. Looking ahead to the future, Chief Lineberry said that she foresees many new possibilities for PTAR, including:  The addition of more state-of-the-art equipment.
Treating injuries on the scene to avoid trips to the hospital.
Becoming more involved in home health care. For example, instead of transporting people to their doctor's office for flu shots or other minor
procedures, Squad members could administer them in the home of the patient.
There are times when the Squad experiences a shortage of personnel, according to Chief Lineberry. She said that is especially true of volunteers. "Volunteerism has fallen by the wayside," she said. "Most people want to do something for money or rewards. The pay is low, but the rewards of knowing that you managed to take care of someone's precious family member is the final reward. That's not a monetary thing." Charles Boyd agreed with Chief Lineberry, and added that another reward he would always have with him was his memories. "All of my memories of the Rescue Squad are tremendous," he said. "I can look back over the years with pride, knowing that I played a small part in the formation of the Rescue Squad and the Volunteer Patrol." Mr. Boyd had three plaques hanging on a wall in the den of his house: One plaque dated December 1984 declared him an "Honorary Life Member." Another plaque, presented to him on December 14, 1991 and titled "Mr. Chairman, was in recognition of 20 years of service.
The third plaque recognized him for 25 years of service to the High Point Rescue Squad in December 1996.
Mr. Boyd resigned from the Squad's corporate structure in December 1998, after a total of 32 years of involvement with the organization -- from the
Barry L. Williams Which Was Printed In The July 16, 2000 Edition Of The High Point Enterprise Newspaper |
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