Rescue squad gives truck back to Lions Club
By Matt Caulder
Published in News on May 1, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Judy Anderson-Kornegay, captain of the volunteer Goldsboro Rescue Squad, points out the faded stenciling on the 1952 Chevrolet 3/4 ton panel truck that was converted to an ambulance in the 1950s. The truck was donated to the squad by the Goldsboro Lions Club. The Goldsboro Rescue Squad donated it back to the club in a ceremony on Saturday.
On Saturday, after 60 years, the Goldsboro Rescue Squad's first ambulance was returned to the Goldsboro Lion's Club, which had donated it to the squad in 1953.
"It went back to them for its final ride to the Lion's Club clubhouse," said Judy Anderson-Kornegay. "It was kind of sad, but in a way, kind of nice too."
Past and present squad members celebrated the 60th anniversary of the rescue squad at the Wayne County Shrine Club in Dudley, said Mrs. Anderson-Kornegay, captain with Goldsboro Rescue and Emergency Medical Services.
The rescue squad doesn't have the money to restore the truck so the decision was made to return it to the Lions Club so that it could restore it.
Approximately 60 people were in attendance at the event, including two charter members of the squad, Carl Andrews and Tony Best.
A memorial service was held to honor all the squad members, auxiliary members and squad nurses who have died over the years.
In addition to honoring the deceased members, all of the past and present squad members were thanked for their service to the squad and the people of Wayne County over the last 60 years.
The Lions Club bought the 1952 Chevrolet three-quarter ton panel truck for $1,660 in 1953, and through a fundraising campaign made approximately $5,000 worth of upgrades to the truck make it rescue-ready.
The Goldsboro Rescue Squad ran its first official call on March 21, 1953.
A passenger car took a curve too fast and slid off the road near Arrington Bridge Road.
Three of the passengers were thrown from the car and a fourth, who died, was still in the back seat of the car.
The squad provided first aid to the three passengers thrown from the vehicle, completing their first call.
Mrs. Anderson-Kornegay said it is believed that the squad is the second or third oldest volunteer rescue squad in the state.