Corporate News

Who was John Maple?	Date Posted: June 6, 2010
The Annual LMVFR Open House is named "John Maple Day" - but many of our members were not here to meet John Maple. So, who was John Maple, anyway? From Steve Martin: John was a founding member of the LMFD - before we had a "Fire and Rescue" organization. He was either a retired Army Major or Colonel, but there was nothing pretentious about John at all. He was down to earth in every way. When the organization voted on expanding to include a Rescue Squad, John voted against having a LM Rescue Organization. That is the really interesting part to the entire story...because John became the most avid supporter of our Rescue Squad. John served as Captain (before it was called "Chief", John became an EMS Instructor and certified many, many members of the Lake and County Rescue organization, and served as the training officer. John was a mentor to most of the leaders in the organization for years. John was well known in the community and would speak with anyone or any organization about Lake Monticello Rescue Squad. John worked to enhance relationships with other squads, the state EMS organization, and other organizations as well. He was always willing to listen and I remember one of my first trainings in water rescue was on CPR3 (Cold Protective Response)...and John was on the front row. He came because he thought it was about cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and as an instructor he wanted to know what we were teaching. He stayed for the entire class and we discussed it afterwards. John passed away a few years ago--doing what he loved. He was attending an EMS conference and staying overnight in a hotel. He went to sleep and didn't wake up the next day. I thought the world of John as did most everyone in the squad. Mary loved taking his EMT class and they always enjoyed a smile together. Our organization was much more of a family organization back then...and John was the patriarch. There are others that knew John better...and were closer...but we all thought the world of John Maple and it is very appropriate that our entire organization honor him and celebrate all that he gave to organization. He was an incredible inspiration to many and he work still influences our organization. You may not have known him, but he was the foundation for the LMVF&R we know today, and truly the father of our Rescue Squad. Another story from Judy Turner: When I took the EMT class for the first time it was to help out at GE (where I worked). I took the class at Piedmont Virginia Community College with John Burress. I never dreamed of actually volunteering on a rescue squad. I felt I had never studied and struggled with anything so difficult in my life. Well, for those of you who knew John, he had some sort of special antennas, he sought out EMT students from classes all over and worked to recruit them for our rescue squad. I received a call one day from John and at the time I didn't even know who he was. He asked about my class and "invited" me to join the LMRS. I laughed and said "Sir, I'll be lucky to pass this class, but if I do, I'll think about it". He then offered to practice with me so we began meeting at the club house on Saturday mornings. He brought all the equipment for all 7 practical stations and coached me along. (There were actually 2 of us in that class; the other was Fred K. Jr.) The night of the state test I was so nervous! It was the last testing site where the students were told pass or fail right away. I remember as I walked out of the classroom to begin the practicals, I couldn't even remember if I put my name on the test sheet! I knew I had failed the written test. A short while after I had started the practical part of the test, John Burress put his arm around my shoulder and took me into the office (we were at the C'ville/Albemarle Rescue Squad). I knew I had failed. John B. kept saying to me, "Judy, you know this stuff; you just need to relax". Can you imagine how I felt when John B. told me I had failed the test by 1 point?? Here was John Maple taking pictures of me as I was doing the practical stations, he had so much hope for me! I was devastated and so upset that I had failed him! (By the way, I scored perfect scores on all the practicals)! John Maple never gave up on me, though. He told me (he didn't ask me) to come to his and Larry Turner's EMT class at Lake Monticello. I did, but still lacked the confidence I needed. John worked with me and not only did I pass that EMT test, a year later I became an EMT instructor! You see, I want to believe that John was a man who saw more in us than we see ourselves. Oh, he was a bit rough around the edges, but he had a heart as big as a building and he had a gift to judge character. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how he introduced me to each new EMT class. He would always say, "If you want to learn something, come to Larry or myself, if you want sympathy, go to Judy." You see, he knew that I could relate to the feelings so many students feel and I would do whatever I could to help them relax and have confidence in themselves. I knew that if I could do it, anyone who really wanted to be an EMT could do it! Thank you John, I will never forget you!
Why is Fluvanna County the only local County without paid Fire/Rescue providers?	Date Posted: August 24, 2008
Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue is one of the main reasons that Fluvanna County remains a county without paid providers. We provide local support with over 200 volunteers plus auxiliary personnel, and are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We rely on donations from the community in order to staff and equip our community. Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad was licensed in December of 1975 with 10 members and 1 ambulance. We now have four cardiac equipped ambulances plus a squad car, and over 90 members consisting of Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support providers. Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1974 with a handful of members and 2 pieces of apparatus. Today the department has 2 engines, a tanker, a truck company, a brush truck, and a command vehicle. They currently operate the only aerial ladder in Fluvanna County and now have over 50 members. Lake Monticello Volunteer Water Rescue was formed in 1987. The team consists of over 30 members. They currently have a Zodiac boat, Dive 5, and house Central Virginia’s only Rescue Airboat and Rescue Sled.