Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad is extraordinarily grateful to the residents, businesses, grants and charitable funding organizations of Mathews County for their generous support of the organization over the years. The rescue squad reflects the community it serves and those funding sources are generous; we hope the Board of Supervisors will be as well.

In addition, the MVRS wishes to convey tremendous gratitude for each of the volunteer paramedics and EMTs who have devoted innumerable hours of their time to respond to any and all crises, often at their own peril. Our community as a whole is better having benefited from the tireless commitment to service and personal sacrifices of those who have served with the squad since its inception.

EMS is an essential public service in our communities. When illness or injuries strike, citizens depend upon EMS to respond with timely, high-quality care. A significant challenge for EMS is to ensure stable and sufficient...