Cobleskill Rescue Squad kicks off essay contest

4/17/2019

By Jim Poole

The Cobleskill Rescue Squad is offering $600 in prizes for the winners in a first-ever essay contest.
Open to all ages, essays are to be on the topic “How Emergency Services Changed My Life.”
And although cash prizes are attractive, the thrust is to get people aware of how important emergency services are.
“Our belief is to get people thinking about their encounters with emergency services,” said Rose Walker, who’s coordinating the contest and is a volunteer with the Cobleskill squad.
“We want to acknowledge that those services, whether non-profit or for-profit, deserve recognition and deserve support.”
Essays must be at least 200 words long, and writers must include name, address and phone number. Entrants must live within the Cobleskill Fire District.
Ads in the Times-Journal and My Shopper describe the contest, and Ms. Walker plans to distribute flyers to Cobleskill-Richmondville schools and SUNY Cobleskill.
Members of the Cobleskill Rescue Squad and their families can’t enter, but if Ms. Walker was pressed to write an essay, what would it be about?
“My first experience with a rescue squad was a call for help to get my mom off the floor,” she said. “There was no transport necessary, but we were very appreciative.”
Her point is that an essay topic needn’t be about a life-threatening situation.
“It can be as simple as getting a relative off the floor, which is very common, or something more urgent,” Ms. Walker said.
Essays won’t be divided into age categories, and rescue squad members will judge the essays, with $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third.
Writers may submit more than one essay.
The deadline for entries is May 1 and winners will be announced on May 22, during National Emergency Medical Services Week.
Essays should be sent to Cobleskill Rescue Squad 2019 Essay Contest, PO Box 451, Cobleskill, NY 12043.