Serving the Community for 60 years!

The McDowell County Rescue Squad, Station 97 was established after a large scale medical incident in the county raised awareness of the need for a department to assist with emergency situations.

In the Spring of 1958, at the end of the school year, over 200 students, teachers, and staff at the Cross Mill School became ill due to food poisoning. McDowell EMS was not yet in existence. The shear number of patients quickly overwhelmed local resources. Surrounding counties provided assistance, including Burke County, whose newly formed Rescue Squad helped to transport patients to the hospital. After the incident, some concerned and dedicated local citizens spoke with members of the Burke County Rescue Squad about starting a similar department in McDowell.

Soon thereafter plans were underway to start a local Rescue Squad. The first meeting of interested individuals was held in August, 1958. Original members received Standard and Advanced First Aid training. In January 1959, the state of North Carolina granted a charter to the McDowell County Rescue Squad and Ambulance Company, Inc.

Today, more than half a century later, Station 97 has grown from its humble beginnings. The majority of members hold at least EMT-Basic certification, while many hold certifications of EMT-Paramedic or higher. Multiple members are certified Technical Rescuers. Some members have extra training and certifications in specialty areas such as diving, high angle rescue, ropes rescue, search, swiftwater rescue, and agricultural rescue. Plans are currently being made to train members in Confined Space and Trench rescue.

We are deeply indebted to those citizens who saw the need for a Rescue Squad in our county and worked diligently to establish one. As members of McDowell County Rescue Squad, Station 97, we hope our own dedication to serving the people of McDowell County, as well as those who may travel through, will continue the proud legacy of our predecessors and those who worked to bring about a positive change after an adverse situation.

Officers 2017-2018

Chief: Brian Gentry
Assistant Chief: Lee Sluder
Operations Captain: Scott Whitmoyer
Training Lieutenant: Jordan Harrell
Section 1 Lieutenant: Ray Hollifield
Section 2 Lieutenant: Jennifer Wilson