Joining Verona’s Rescue Squad is a huge responsibility, but it’s worth it. It’s one night, six hours a week, and all great things are said about the squad from our students in Verona High School.  

The Rescue Squad is full right now but, each year cycles in new students. To apply, you file an application and are interviewed to determine if you’re a good fit.

Once you’re in, you have to be trained. You have to take a class on blood-borne pathogens, head stabilization training, CPR training, backboard training and learn to check everything in the ambulance like making sure the oxygen tanks are full.

“It was a lot of information thrown at me at one, but I’m still learning. After doing a lot of the procedures and practicing, I feel comfortable,” said junior Jenna Gabbe, a new student to the squad who wants to be a nurse one day.  

During times there are no calls, student volunteers can get school work done because the squad understands that school comes first.

It’s great practice if you want to go into the medical field, or like volunteering and giving back to your community and if you want to open your mind up to outside the Verona bubble.

It’s okay to be nervous, Arianna Tietgen said, “I was nervous my first day on call because I didn’t know what to expect. But, I just knew that I had to do everything that I had to do to get this patient better or bring them to where they needed to be”.

Now, she says, “I find that I’m faster to react to different situations after being on so many calls”.

The experience can change you in a lot of different ways.

“It changed me because it gave me a different perspective on the way people live. When we help out in neighboring towns, I am able to see some of the difficult living situations people are in. I didn’t realize how many people so close to where I live are forced to live like that,” said Maddie Leonard, a student new to the squad.

Also, more empathetic, Jenna said, “It’s made me care about others more”.

“It was such a cool experience to hear the sirens and know that you get to help others,” Maddie added.

Arianna said, “I wanted to serve the community that’s been there for me basically my whole life”.

Maddie said she’d gotten involved because “One time my grandpa had to call the ambulance and he said the people were so nice. So, when I heard I could volunteer I was really excited to be a part of it.”

Jenna said, “Because I want to be a nurse when I’m older and I think it’s good practice”.

Mr. Tamburro, a teacher at VHS and veteran of 17 years of the Verona Rescue Squad, said, “I started in college. A co-worker of mine was really sick when I was in the office and didn’t know what to do, so I thought that would be the time to join”.

“I think It’s a great thing to get involved in. It’s a great way to be exposed to a lot of other things,” he said.

“It’s a second family and a second home and it’s fun, each night is a different experience. I love rescue squad, it’s the best,” Arianna beamed.