April 8, 2001 – Drivers passing Drake's Seat Sunday morning were startled to see what looked like an accident scene. But there was no cause for concern: It was St. Thomas Rescue, all right. And the workers were pulling a car and three "patients" up the side of the hill with the help of Triple A Towing Service and its owner, William Alxeander. However, it was all a training exercise, in preparation for Carnival.
There were no injuries, and the car had been wrecked long before the team of rescue trainers and recruits pushed it over the side Sunday morning.
According to Gary Simon, training director for St. Thomas Rescue Inc., nine new recruits got practice Sunday for the eventuality of a real rescue. The training course, which usually takes about six months, includes education and experience in dealing with vehicle entrapment, rappelling, rescue diving and medical treatment.
This is the time of year –- Carnival time -– when the rescue squad finds itself the busiest, according to Vice President Franklin Omarrow.
Organization President Evans Jackson agreed, saying Carnival time is the most dangerous "by far." However, he added, St. Thomas Rescue will be officially involved in Carnival 2001.
"It's the first time we will be having a booth in the village," he said, and the group could use some help with it — and with a lot of other things.
Jackson said the rescue squad, founded in 1979, currently consists of 20 volunteers. "I could use a hundred," he added. "We gladly accept donations, too. We're non-profit."
Simon said new recruits usually train three times a week. But since everyone is a volunteer, "We work within their schedules."
The volunteer "patients," one of whom was doing a great job of "being in shock" –- yelling and trying to get out of the gurney as rescue workers pulled him up the hill -– were Elroy Phipps, Alston Lockhart and Allison Lockhart.
Anyone who would like to volunteer or make a donation to St. Thomas Rescue can call 774-6356 or 513-2791, or either of these toll-free long-distance numbers: Jackson at 1-888-904-4095 and Omarrow at 1-888-904-4102.