| Rebecca has been a member with LPVRS since 2018 and currently is a driver and EMT. She has held her EMT certification since 2015 when she joined Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad when her best friend from high school convinced her to. Since joining, I primarily drive but really enjoy patient care and providing emotional support to the loved ones of those we are there to help. Rebecca’s favorite part about the rescue squad is the opportunity to give back to our community. To see and serve those around us that I may not have the opportunity to interact with in my normal day-to-day activities. When I asked Rebecca what her most memorable moment at LPVRS was? “I met my husband, Joseph Walker, at LPVRS.” Well, one thing that is always said about the RS, you ALWAYS make friends and those friends tend to “become” like family. In this case those friends did. We wish Rebecca and Joe many years of happiness and years of volunteering with LPVRS. Something interesting about Rebecca that few people know is she has a USCG 50-Ton Master License and has been published in a book about female captains on the Chesapeake Bay. In her off time her hobbies include cruising, racing, and repairing sailboats. She also enjoys hiking, yoga, and riding my motorcycle. If someone asked you about volunteering for the rescue squad, what would you tell them? “Do it! There's no other experience like it and the chance to intervene and make someone's rough day a little more bearable is such a joy.” Do you have a professional job outside of the squad? Rebecca official retired in 2025 after trying many career fields -- I've been a cake decorator, graphic designer, sommelier, EMT, financial manager, and data scientist. I now work harder than ever preparing my 41' sailboat for traveling the world with my husband.
Joe and Rebecca combined have over 20 years of volunteer rescue squad service together.
Joseph joined LPVRS in April 2006. He was 31 years old, just moved here from Virginia Beach, VA and at the time, he was serving in the Navy as an Aircrew Rescue Swimmer and really enjoyed the medical side of that job and wanted to do more. EMS seemed like the most logical choice to pursue that interest. We have a lot of military personnel that join us and then move away a few years later. Joe is a paramedic not just for us but also for St. Mary’s County. I would say, by far, my biggest achievement is earning my Paramedic certification and getting turned over as a Paramedic Provider in Charge. I was also honored to serve for a few years as the Assistant ALS Chief for LPVRS. While serving in that role, LPVRS reached just over 6,000 calls that year with less than a 1% did not respond rate. That was a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the LPVRS leadership and members, and I couldn’t not have been more proud to be a part of that. His favorite part about being a part of the RS is the sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself. The feeling of being needed and providing care and comfort to the people of my community on what is probably one of the worst days of their lives. My most memorial able moment while being a member here I would have to say was the day we broke ground for the new Station 39. It felt so special and a little historic to be a part of that. The rescue squad is my hobby, but outside of that, I have one singular hobby and it’s more of a lifestyle than a hobby. It’s my whole life outside of work. The wife and I, mostly the wife, are rehabbing a 41-foot sailboat to travel and cross oceans in. If someone asked you about volunteering for the rescue squad, what would you tell them? “Join, don’t wait, join now. My wife can validate that I'm always willing to talk about and recruit for LPVRS and encouraging people to just go online right now and apply.” Joe also ran for a few years at the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad, Station 16 prior to moving to Maryland. Joe always runs duty with his wife, Rebecca and is a huge asset to Joe when running. They are a “fine running machine” working together when on a call, you know “each other’s right-hand man/woman.”
Teresa joined LPVRS when she was 35 years old. Her decision to join was influenced by people and certain things she had been through in life which encouraged her to step into a role where she could make a difference. Currently, Teresa serves as a crew member and has been in this position for a length of time. In this role, she has had the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while taking on greater responsibility within the squad. What initially drew her to the rescue squad “my desire to help others and be there for my community in times of need.” She was inspired by the dedication and impact of first responders and wanted to be part of that mission. Teresa’s favorite part about being in the RS is the sense of purpose and the ability to directly help people during difficult moments. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the work we do truly matters. Outside of the RS, she enjoys the outdoors, which helps me stay balanced and recharge. If I could give advice to my younger self, “I would say, I wish I would have realized tomorrow is a new day. Never give up and always strive to be your best. Always be a leader not a follower.” If someone asked me about volunteering for the rescue squad, Teresa would tell them that it’s challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. It pushes you to grow, builds strong connections, and gives you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Melissa joined LPVRS on September 6, 2012, she was 42 when she joined. Her husband, Joe, mentioned a few times about joining when I was a member of the fire department and I knew many of the LPVRS members already. Melissa is our current Supply Officer and has been in this position for 5 years. She is also currently working on the RS’s dress uniforms and the organization of those. Melissa is also a current member of our Board Member’s and our squad delegate of MSFA & SMVFA which requires her to attend monthly meetings.
It’s plain to see “she wears many hats at the rescue squad.” Melissa said she is always looking for a challenge and to do something new, joining here was going to give me that. “I like being able to help others and give back to my community, it’s my favorite part.” She said that her biggest accomplishment was receiving her certifications in EMT and EVOC. In her “off time” Melissa loves to travel, spend time with my only grandchild "Miss Cora Bug" & my boys Kyle and Nick. We camp, ride a Harley with My Love Joe Gould and my Red Knight Family. When asked what would you tell younger Melissa, she said “I'd tell my younger self to slow down and enjoy life a little more.” If a strangler asked about joining the squad your response: “I'd tell people volunteering is Blood, Sweat and Tears but I wouldn't change a thing. It's one of the best decisions I made in my life becoming a volunteer. The things I've learned, the people I've helped, the friends and family I've found. It's made me who I am today.” Melissa has been a Licensed Cosmetologist since 1987 (36 years) and salon owner the last 20 years. My husband and I also own J & M Service Center. She was a past member of BDVFD for 6 years prior to LPVRS and was the Chair of the Associates there. She took care of uniforms and the fire prevention program. She was the Silver Spring award recipient for my Fire Prevention leadership in the State of MD. Melissa was the co-chair for Fire Prevention Program for MSFA and Chair for Fire Prevention in SMVFA. My husband is a current member and Past Chief of BDVFD and past member of SDVFD & RS.
Congratulations to Melissa, Teresa, Rebecca and Joe for jobs well done.
As always thank you to all volunteers County wide for all that you do. |
