By Mike Sparks
It was an honor to join historian and former Smyrna Rescue Squad member Marty Luffman in presenting a very special surprise at Mary Jane Skinner’s 90th birthday celebration. 
We were thrilled to present her with Tennessee Proclamation 130, which officially recognizes and honors the extraordinary contributions of the La Vergne Rescue Squad.
The Proclamation 130 serves as a formal acknowledgment from the Tennessee state government of the rescue squad’s longstanding dedication to public safety and volunteerism.
This state proclamation amplifies the profile of the La Vergne Rescue Squad and validates decades of service from volunteers like the Skinners and Blairs.
It also inspires continued community support and investment in the squad’s operations, particularly the popular Saturday breakfasts that fund vital equipment and training. The recognition strengthens the legacy of service and helps encourage new generations of volunteers.
Celebrating Local Heroes
With the passage of Proclamation 130, the Tennessee legislature has cemented the La Vergne Rescue Squad’s reputation as a model of civic duty, honoring the sacrifices and dedication of families like the Blairs and Skinners for future generations to appreciate.
“Mrs. Mary Jane Skinner is like the Energizer Battery. She keeps going and going and going. The way I got her to the building was i told her we had a call out in another county. She was at another event “fish fry” she and her daughter in law. She even had her daughter in law bring her to the building because she did not drive her car,” Dana Blair.
“Our state could certainly use a few 
more Mary Jane Skinners today. If we had more people with a heart to serve their fellow man—our world be a much better place,” said Rep. Robert Stevens.
Historian Marty Luffman presented Mary a state flag flown over the state capitol by Senator Dawn White.
About La Vergne Rescue Squad: Serving the Community Since 1970
A Legacy of Community Service
For over five decades, the La Vergne Rescue Unit, Inc. has stood as a beacon of hope and emergency response in the community. 
Founded in 1970 by three dedicated individuals with a simple yet powerful mission—to help their community—this volunteer organization has grown into an essential emergency service provider that residents of La Vergne can depend on during their most critical moments.
Emergency Response Capabilities
La Vergne Rescue Unit, Inc. serves as a vital emergency resource for the community, responding to a wide range of critical situations, including:
– Multiple vehicle accidents
– Major fire incidents
– Inclement weather emergencies
– Natural disasters
– Any other situations requiring specialized rescue assistance
This ensures that La Vergne residents have access to highly trained volunteer responders who can provide critical support alongside other emergency services.
Statewide Network and Mutual Aid
La Vergne Rescue Unit maintains full-time membership in the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (TARS), connecting them to a broader network of emergency responders across the state. Through this association, the unit provides mutual aid throughout Tennessee and surrounding states when requested, demonstrating their commitment extends beyond local boundaries.
The Evolution of Emergency Response
TARS, organized in January 1955 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, emerged from a critical need for specialized emergency responders in rural areas. Before modern Emergency Medical Services (EMS) existed, accident victims faced a grim reality: extraction from vehicle wreckage was performed by local wrecker services using basic tools like winch booms, hacksaws, chains, and come-alongs. Emergency transport was handled by funeral homes, whose drivers were equipped with little more than portable oxygen tanks and stretchers for rough, rapid trips to hospitals.
Today’s rescue squads represent a dramatic evolution in emergency response capabilities. Tennessee now boasts over 115 rescue squads with more than 5,000 volunteers who coordinate seamlessly with ambulance services and fire rescue services to respond to emergencies across the state.
Comprehensive Training and Expertise
Members of La Vergne Rescue Unit, Inc. undergo extensive training to handle diverse emergency situations. Their certifications and specializations include:
Vehicle Rescue Operations
– Vehicle Extrication
– Advanced Vehicle Extrication
– Instructor-level Vehicle Extrication
Medical Response
– Emergency Medical Technician-Basic
– Emergency Medical Technician-Advanced
– First Aid & CPR Instruction
– Bloodborne Pathogens Training
Specialized Rescue Operations
– Confined Space Rescue
– HAZMAT Awareness
– Low Angle Rescue
– Boating Operations
– NASAR SARTECH III (Search and Rescue)
– Didson Sonar Instruction
Water Rescue and Recovery
– SCUBA Diving (PADI Certified)
– Open Water
– Advanced Open Water
– Search and Rescue
– Rescue Diving
Continuing a Tradition of Service
From its humble beginnings with three community-minded founders to its current status as a fully equipped, professionally trained emergency response unit, La Vergne Rescue Squad exemplifies the spirit of volunteer service. These dedicated men and women continue to train, prepare, and respond to emergencies, ensuring that when disaster strikes, the community has skilled responders ready to help.
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