The Dante Rescue Squad has implemented a volunteer stipend program in order to help members offset expenditures. The program was implemented on Oct. 1.
“The purpose of this program is to support the dedicated volunteers who give their time, incur their own expenses, maintain their training, and answer the call when our community needs them,” stated Acting Captain Jarred Glass.
Glass stressed that the stipend program will not affect the services the squad offers.
“This does not change who we are,” he said. “Dante Rescue Squad will remain a volunteer organization, and we will continue providing emergency medical care and ambulance transportation at no cost to our patients.”
In a letter addressed to the Dante community, Glass explained how the program will operate.
“This stipend will be given based on how many 911 calls they respond to and for obtaining and maintaining their training,” he said. “This is not a wage for their work. We will have no employees. This is a small appreciation for their time and effort to help maintain the service we have always provided.”
Glass said the program is projected to be $20,000 annually. He said thanks to the long-term financial planning of his father, the late Daniel “Butch” Glass Jr., the squad is able to afford the stipend program.
“We are again blessed enough that through dad’s years of financial planning and trying to keep our operating costs low that we can afford this,” Glass said.
He added, “Affording this is also due to our gracious donors. Some of whom have faithfully donated for years and that does not go unnoticed.”
