Nov. 9, 2003 — Everybody's seen those St. Thomas Rescue guys and ladies at the scene of accidents of all kinds: traffic, boat, swimmers' mishaps, lost hikers; and at the scene of public events such as road races, track meets, boat races, and kayaking journeys.
They work in tandem with police and Emergency Medical Technicians, said Efrain Feliciano, addressing the Montserrat Association of St. Thomas/St. John members at a meeting in October. But, more than that, they are available to answer your questions: What should you do if you smell gas in your house? How do you put those children into seat belts, and how do the baby harnesses work? How can you rescue someone who may be drowning if you can't swim? Answers will be provided later on; suffice it to say that these volunteers who work totally without pay are available 24-7 for assistance to troubled persons or to talk to groups who have questions such as the above.
But they're seen in company with big trucks carrying a complicated array of equipment: the "Jaws of Life," large, bright lights, rappelling ropes and carabiners — it's an endless and expensive list of tools needed to perform their tasks.
The Montserrat Association has decided to put on a fund-raising concert Saturday, Nov. 22, at Victor's New Hideout as the culminating event of their celebration of "Montserrat Week."
Featured from St. Thomas will be the Louis Taylor Trio and award-winning Louis Ible Jr.
Featured from Montserrat will be Andy, Kandie & Randi, a "new singing sensation." The group has an original repertoire of harmonies and rhythms that they use to relate stories to Montserrat's past and present, offered in a modern folk genre, said a release.
Andy is Anderson Kirnon, on lead and background vocals. An air traffic controller by profession, he's recorded a number of songs and won the Party monarch crown in the 2001 calypso competition on Montserrat.
Kandie is Sylvina Malone, also on lead and background vocals. She has traveled widely with the Emerald Community Singers. She's also the first and only female to be crowned Calypso Monarch of Montserrat (in 2000) and has recordings as well. She's a firefighter by profession.
Randi, also known as Randall "Zunky" Greenaway, is well known on the music scene as a calypso composer and songwriter, including a series of songs, "Little Island, Live Volcano." He's an educator by profession.
So plan an evening of great musical entertainment, come out and hear some new faces and voices as well as St. Thomas favorites, and support the important volunteer work of St. Thomas Rescue at the same time.
And the answers to the questions for Rescue, supplied by Feliciano during his talk:
If you smell gas, open windows, leave the building, and go turn off the valve on the propane tank. If you need help with seat belts and baby harnesses, call Rescue to set up a demonstration. Find an empty water jug (there's always one around the beach), fill it with an inch or two of water, and throw it out to the troubled swimmer; it makes a flotation device that he can use while you go call 9-1-1.
For more information on Montserrat Week, Nov. 17-22, see the article in the Source Organizations section.
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