The VTRS Life Membership and Alumni Association leadership is elected by the membership every year at the annual business meeting held in Blacksburg, VA. This annual meeting is held the same weekend as the VTRS annual awards banquet.

President
Picture of Michael Russell

Michael Russell, VT Class of 1977

Mike joined VTRS in 1974 after transferring to VT from Kansas State. What started out as something that would be helpful on an application to medical school became both the source of his most significant lifetime friendships and clinical training that proved valuable in unexpected ways in his professional career. With VTRS and later in EMS involvement with Henrico Rescue Squad in Richmond, VA during medical school at MCV, he began to acquire some ability to quickly establish degrees of instability, establish clinical priorities for treatment and stay relatively calm in the face of extreme situations.

Mike has had a 27 year medical career in anesthesiology and critical care medicine. That time has been almost equally split between private practice and academic medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, MCV, and most recently at the University of Pennsylvania where he was assistant professor and attending physician in the trauma ICU. Currently, he is the director of anesthesia and cardiopulmonary services at the Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, NC. EMS involvement has been virtually continuous since graduation from medical school including EMS operational medical director in Rappahannock/Rapidan region of Virginia, member of the VA state medical control committee, medical command physician for PennStar air evac service at Penn, and currently OMD for Dare County (NC) EMS.

With wife, Betsy Morgan, he lives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, shares 4 more or less adult children , and enjoys music, photography, motorcycling, boating and other general wastes of time.

Vice-President
Picture of David Weand

David Weand, VT Class of 2004

David Weand began his career in Emergency Medical Services with the Cedar Run Volunteer Rescue Squad in Fauquier, VA as a junior member in 1996. He obtained his EMT-Basic and EVOC as a volunteer with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department in 1998. He continued his EMS education as a member of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad from Feb 2000 through May 2004. He became certified as a Cardiac Technician in 2002 and provided ALS care with both VTRS and Regional EMS, Inc in Pulaski.

While a member of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, David served as the Membership Committee chairman for a year and then as the Personnel Lieutenant for two years. He progressed through the ranks as an Attendant, Driver, Team Leader, ALS Provider and First Lieutenant. David was voted into Life Membership status when he graduated from Virginia Tech in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering.

David now lives in Northern Virginia and is working as a Fire Medic for the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department. He is assigned to Fire Station 29 in Tyson's Corner where his job requirements include driving the medic unit, riding as the ALS provider on the fire engine and operating as a back-up driver of the engine.

Treasurer

Charles Coffelt,

Secretary
Picture of Jason Dominiczak

Jason Dominiczak, VT Class of 2008

Jason Dominiczak began his career in Emergency Medical Services with the West Essex First Aid Squad in West Caldwell, NJ in 2001. He obtained his New Jersey EMT-B in 1997. He became a member of VTRS in the Spring of 2005 and received his Virginia EMT-B that summer. He obtained his Virginia EMT-Enhanced certification in the Spring of 2006. In the summer of 2007 he completed the CONTOMS EMT-Tactical certification.

While a member of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, Jason served as the Captain, Vehicles and Communications Lieutenant, Member at Large, and Tactical Medic for the Virginia Tech Police Department's Emergency Response (SWAT) Team. Currently, he resides in Blacksburg and is working as a Police Officer for the Virginia Tech Police Department. He is assigned to the Emergency Response Team and serves as faculty for the CONTOMS program.

Virginia Tech Rescue Squad
Military Building, Barger St. (0245)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Web Developer: Johnny Wen & David Weand
Emergency DIAL 911
Phone: (540) 231-7138
Fax: (540) 231-6254
Email: vtrescue@vt.edu
DIAL 911 for all EMERGENCIES
540-231-6411 (cell phones)

When do I call for an ambulance?
Is the victim’s condition life-threatening or could it worsen and become life threatening on the way to the hospital? Could moving the victim cause further injury? Does the victim need the skills or equipment of emergency medical technicians? Would distance or traffic conditions cause a delay in getting the victim to the hospital?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” or if you are unsure, it’s best to call an ambulance. EMTs are trained to begin medical treatment on the way to the hospital and can alert the doctors of the patient’s condition in advance.

Example warning signs:
Severe burns, bleeding that won’t stop, severe or persistent vomiting, coughing up or vomiting blood, suicidal or homicidal feelings, difficulty breathing, chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure, fainting or sudden collapse, sudden dizziness, weakness or change in vision, change in mental status