Our Mission

To provide pre-hospital emergency care and rescue services to the citizens of Augusta and Rockingham counties and the surrounding areas.

Grottoes Rescue Squad - A Brief History

Grottoes Rescue Squad was formed in March 1967 by a few men in the community who recognized that an emergency medical service was needed. Before the squad was formed, local funeral homes delivered what care they could, but mostly served as a transport service to the local hospitals.

Men like Mickey Good, Carl Wood, James Miller, and others formed Grottoes Rescue Squad. They started with an old station wagon made into an ambulance, a broken down garage to work out of, and even less dollars to work with. They even had to purchase fuel with money from their own pockets! The members had basic first aid training at that time.

The members soon realized that they would need the help of the community for this service to continue. Not just for money, but the most important asset, members, for this squad to serve this community.

At that time, there was no central dispatch center or EOC. All calls were received at Remolds Metal Company located in Grottoes for members to respond.

In the early 70's a new station was built on Route 340, just north of Grottoes, on land that was donated to the squad by a member of the community . With the help of this community, this station was the largest and most modern in the state of Virginia.

As time progressed, training also became a focal point for the squad to be able to deliver the finest pre-hospital care in the valley. At this time, EMT classes were taught by physicians at the local hospitals.

A state agency was formed to take over training for EMS agencies. Mickey Good was one of the first members to become an EMT Instructor. He, along with Lou Septic, taught EMT classes for many years at the squad station.

Mickey was an active member of Grottoes Rescue Squad for 40 years and carried out the vision that these few men had when the squad was formed, to be able to deliver the finest pre- hospital care that was possible.

To help raise funds, the squad offered bingo on Saturday nights and this was continued for many years. The Squad also conducted one of the largest lawn parties in the valley for many years. This money was used to purchase the most up to date equipment for the community and was invested wisely to bring the squad to the future that it is today.