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Two new ambulances join B-CC rescue squad fleet

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad recently began using two new state-of-the-art ambulances.

The vehicles, which cost more than $185,000 each, were purchased with funds donated by the community, businesses and foundation grants.

They were specially built and have improvements for patients such as warmers for intravenous fluids, an improved stretcher and an innovative ‘‘stair chair” for moving sick or injured patients to an ambulance from the second story of a home.

The new ambulances also are safer and more comfortable for medical technicians and paramedics, and include safety netting for personnel, more space to provide care and updated sirens and flashing lights.

One vehicle will be used as a Basic Life Support ambulance. The other is serving as a medic unit, which is specially equipped and staffed by personnel to treat critical conditions.

The vehicles are replacing older models. The squad typically replaces vehicles every 100,000 miles, said Kumar Vaswani, a B-CC Rescue Squad board member.

‘‘They’re subjected to a fair amount of wear and tear,” he said. ‘‘We just want to make sure that the units we’re transporting the public in are in top conditions.”

The squad’s fleet includes four medic units, three ambulances, two heavy rescue trucks and air support unit for refilling firefighters’ breathing apparatus at fire scenes and various command and utility vehicles.

Fire chief is longest serving in Cabin John history

Jimmy Seavey Sr. was recently reelected to a record eighth term as fire chief of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department at its annual meeting.

Seavey, who has been chief since 1992, is the longest serving chief in the department’s 75 years of service to the community.

Seavey called on members of the department to reach out to the community and raise funds to complete renovations of the substation on Falls Road.

Also re-elected were President Michael Harting and Vice President David Cohen.

Kathleen Donahoe was elected secretary. She was previously a board member.

Newly elected board members include Lynette Walker, Damian Alexander and Scott Perlmutter.

Mark Livingstone was appointed treasurer.

All board members are fire and EMS providers with the department, many having been members of the department for more than 10 years.

SyLene celebrates30th anniversary

SyLene, the Chevy Chase lingerie store run by Cyla Weiner and Helen Kestler, both of Potomac, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Weiner attributes the shop’s longevity to the personalized service it provides to seekers of the perfect-fitting bra.

‘‘Everybody hates to buy a swimsuit and bra, it’s a dreaded event,” she said. ‘‘But we make it easy to shop here.”

Weiner grew up working in her parent’s lingerie shop in Trenton, N.J. When she opened her own shop in 1975, she said she faced stiff competition from department stores.

‘‘Garfinkel’s [department store] was our main competitor, but we’re still here and they’re long gone,” she said.

Kiwanis raises fundsfor Camp Friendship

The Kiwanis Clubs of Montgomery County recently hosted a performance of the Vienna Choir Boys at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda.

The concert, which raised $8,500, benefited the Carol Jean Cancer Foundation of Laytonsville, which operates Camp Friendship, a camp for children with cancer.

The Vienna Choir Boys range from 10 to 14 years old. At the request of Kiwanis, children from Camp Friendship got to meet the performers and their conductor, Martin Schebesta.

The Kiwanians sold nearly 600 tickets for the event and all profits will go to Camp Friendship.

There are about 350 Kiwanis members in Montgomery County, in nine locations throughout the county. The group is part of the Capital District, Division 17.

For more information about the Kiwanis, contact Gary Boswell at 301-340-6300, ext. 18 or e-mail gboswell@goldleins.com, or call Betty Gardiner at 301-325-0599 or e-mail bettgard@aol.com.

Volunteers needed to teach computer, office skills

The Employment Initiative Program of the Housing Opportunities Commission works with HOC residents as they develop the skills and experiences necessary for successful employment and careers.

The program assists the underemployed and unemployed by providing a variety of office and career training.

The program is currently seeking volunteer teachers to work with small groups of adults in computer training classes and general office skills classes.

The curriculum focuses on keyboarding and MS Office programs.

Volunteers are also needed to work with groups teaching computer accounting applications.

For more information, call Ronnie Haber, 301-962-5536.

Volunteers needed for holiday community service event

Join 1,000 volunteers in a variety of community service projects from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 25 for the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center’s 19th annual December 25th Community Service Day.

The all-day event serves more than 5,000 underprivileged people in the area.

People of all faiths are welcome to participate. Scheduled activities include visiting pediatric units in hospitals, preparing meals for area soup kitchens and delivering donated gifts to homeless shelters.

Volunteers can also give blood, paint walls at local community shelters, and spend time with children and seniors — filling in so other caregivers can celebrate Christmas with their families.

To register for the project, prospective volunteers can call 202-518-9400 ext. 565 or visit www.dcjcc.org.

This column is for you. Share your good news! Feel free to send press releases and news tips. Contact Stephanie Siegel via e-mail at ssiegel@gazette.net, phone at 301-280-3006, fax at 301-670-7183, or snail mail at 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878.