Report Given By Secretary-Treasurer Shows Vast Amount Of Work Done In Six Years-New Equipment
From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register
The Salem Life Saving Crew was organized November 15, 1932. At the time of its organization, the Crew had very little equipment. Later, the Town Council appropriated a small sum which was used in the purchasing of an inhalator, first aid supplies, searching light, and a few minor items of necessity.
Until July 3, 1934, the Crew had to rely upon the Fire Department for transportation in any cases of emergency and as the Crew progressed, the need for an ambulance became more outstanding in the minds of the members.
Finally, an appropriation of $200 was obtained from the County, $50 from the Town of Salem and the remainder was raised by an entertainment sponsored by the Business Men’s Association for the benefit of the Crew. This completed the $485 used in the purchasing of our first ambulance.
Hall Provided
Through donations by citizens of the town and additional aid from J. E. Carper and the former Town Manager, R. P. Bishop, our present Crew Hall was made possible, as well as increasing the position of the crew in standing ready for any type of emergency.
In return for the aid and interest given by the council, citizens of Salem and County, I wish to report the following efforts of the crew in relieving the suffering of our citizens in times of trouble and to prevent and teach prevention against possible accidents.
Since the organization of the Crew, approximately 4,000 First Aid cases have been treated, such as minor cuts and bruises, fainting, shock and etc., 295 calls have been answered. These calls include drowning cases, fire calls, persons overcome with smoke, search for lost persons, cases which require First Aid treatment, calls from physicians and transportation cases, calls for burns, use of generator, and wrecks. 30 talks and demonstrations have been given various organizations and groups concerning First Aid and accident prevention. 8 out of county calls have been made.
16 Persons Saved
Blood teats have been taken for transfusion from different members of the Crew and four transfusions given by the Crew members.
The Crew feels that they were directly responsible for saving the lives of 16 persons, 9 of which were pneumonia cases in which the oxygen tent was pressed into service as a last resort at the request of the attending physician, three drowning cases, one poison case, each of which necessitated the use of the inhalator. Another particular instance in which the Crew saved a life was stopping the blood by pressure on the digital point when an artery had been severed due to an automobile accident. Two others were water cases.
Gasoline Generator
Another piece of equipment of which we are justly proud is a new 500-watt gasoline generator which was purchased through J. J. Cassady, former Town Manager. This was placed in service on one occasion when the current in the town was cut off due to an electrical storm. The generator was connected to the house circuit of a sick person and supplied light for the entire house during the night. On another important case to supply current for motor with oxygen tent and gave light for patient who had pneumonia in the county where there was no electric current thereby transportation of the patient to the Mercy House.
During the past year the Crew has purchased two new pieces of equipment which was badly needed, a 1-ton Dodge truck and a new oxygen tent of the latest type and construction.
Officers of the group at present time are J. E. Carper, president; F. B. Whitescarver, vice president; J. I. Moyer, legal advisor; M. F. Stump, captain; A. J. Kelly, 1st Lieutenant; G. T. Eades, 2nd Lieutenant; E. R. Gresham, Jr., Equipment supervisor; H. D. Carper, secretary-treasurer; C. W. Bain, assistant secretary; A. C. Poff, historian.
-Prepared by Lisa King