The idea had been gestating for nine months. Its five parents, Kenny Bennett, Dwayne Clemons, Peggy Rupp, Larry Chesley and Dan Racette, realized the desperate need for an emergency medical rescue service in the area. The infant service was first housed in an old horse barn with one ambulance. Bumpass Little River Baptist Church offered its building as a meeting place for the growing membership of
LARI. So many calls were made that there was an obvious need for more ambulances and a building in which to keep them. The community rose to support the call for donated funds and volunteer workers. Plans were designed, re-designed and re-designed again for a new home. Land was donated and construction began in 2000. On LARI's third birthday, December 1, 2001, the gift was the dedication of a beautiful new home. It boasted of a day room for rescue volunteers awaiting calls, bunk rooms for night time volunteers, a commercial kitchen and a community room for training, fund raising and community events. The bay would hold the growing LARI family, now numbering two ambulances, one chase car, and one pontoon boat for water rescue and dive operations. Today LARI has approximately 20 active members. EMT and ambulance driving classes are offered in hopes of recruiting more volunteers members. Administrative members are also needed as a support group. Fund raising, social activities and a Junior rescue squad are also part of the LARI experience. Please consider joining the LARI team today. Our "baby" is growing up!
