Mission

Our primary mission is to deliver Rescue Services to the citizens of Coffee County. The secondary mission of our organization is to provide disaster relief and support operations of our mutual partners in emergency services in Coffee County, surrounding counties and the great state of Tennessee.

Goals

Our goal is to save lives by providing optimal Rescue Services. We focus first and foremost on the citizens of Coffee County. However, we will extend our services to any agency, or persons, in need of rescue services or assistance. We will serve this goal to our best ability, both locally and throughout Tennessee.

History

Coffee County Rescue Squad was formed in 1963 as a strictly volunteer organization. Our members give their time and effort without compensation to assist victims in all types of accidents including, but not limited to, drowning, swift water and missing persons. We help educate the public in these procedures by demonstrating and explaining our equipment at local schools, fairs and career days.

We are an active member of the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (TARS). TARS was organized in January 1955 and is incorporated under the statutes of Tennessee as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Rescue Squads were created from a need for a specialized group of emergency responders in rural areas. Prior to what we know as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), victims of automobile collisions faced being cut free from wreckage by local wrecker services. Their tools were limited to their winch booms, hacksaws, chains and come-alongs. Then funeral homes performed emergency transport. Some funeral homes began staffing drivers along with someone to provide first aid, but they were equipped with little more than a portable oxygen tank and a stretcher for the victims to lie on during the rough and rapid transport to the hospital. Today, Rescue Squads coordinate with Ambulance Services and Fire Rescue Services to respond to emergencies across Tennessee. There are over 115 Rescue Squads with more than 5,000 volunteers.