Camden, Tenn.–The Benton County Rescue Squad recently met at Fish Bones Restaurant in Camden for their annual Christmas dinner to join in fellowship and to reflect on a productive 50th year of service to the community.
Captain Dwayne Presson introduced two guests of honor for this year’s celebration: founding members Jerry Berry and Jerry Farris. Both Berry and Farris were instrumental in establishing the rescue squad in 1969, and are both still active lifetime members today. “We would not be here today had it not been for the efforts of these two men,” Presson said. The first meeting occurred on July 22, 1969, in the basement of the Stockdale-Malin funeral home, and the squad was soon chartered by the State of Tennessee on October 6, 1969.
The rescue squad is staffed by dedicated volunteers from the community who continually train to be able to respond to many types of accidents. In addition to vehicle extrication, the BCRS provides other vital services to the residents of Benton County including farm rescue, water rescue and recovery, land searches, and trench rescue.
Photo: From left, Founding Lifetime Members Jerry Farris and Jerry Berry at the squad’s 50th Anniversary Christmas Party hosted by Fish Bones Restaurant in Camden. (Rescue Squad photo).