Above the Crowd: Meet Dave Tesh

For anyone who has heard ambulance sirens wailing in the night and prayed everything was all right, you’ll rest better after reading this. Actively involved in responding to emergencies in Chesterfield is a remarkable man named Dave Tesh, who not only works a full-time career position as Volunteer Recruiter/Liaison for Chesterfield County Fire and EMS—but also serves as Deputy Chief in the Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad, Station #3.

And— judging by the testimonials that poured in— Dave is well regarded not only in Chesterfield County, but throughout Virginia as well.

"Dave walks the walk," wrote Bobby Hill, EMT-B Recruitment Coordinator for the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation. "If I had to choose one individual to speak on behalf of volunteer EMS in Virginia, that person would be Dave Tesh."

"I’m lucky," said Dave emphatically. "I have the best job in the world, and I volunteer with some of the best people. Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad was founded in 1955 and we take a lot of pride in what we do."

Dave joined the squad, training as an emergency medical technician, in 1995. "All volunteers in rescue have to take classes. Along with the state certification exam, 150 class hours of basic EMT training are required. It’s surprising how time-consuming this commitment is."

Commitment is the key word here; operational volunteers devote between 24 and 48 hours of service a month.

"We have six different crews; the hours are between
6 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the week and 24 hours on the weekends," explained Dave, who runs the operational volunteer ambulance duties. "Crews rotate nights and typical duty requirement is one shift per week with your assigned crew."

There is a ladies’ bunkroom and a men’s bunkroom where volunteers sleep in their clothes. "When calls come in, you go to work," he laughed. "We also need administrative volunteers, and they have no specific time requirement."

A member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and the son of Anne and Jay Tesh, Dave grew up in Chesterfield with a father who had been a volunteer firefighter in North Carolina—and a restorer of antique fire trucks. "After many parades and celebrations, Dad donated them back to the original cities where they had been in service."

It was at the urging of wife Marie that Dave made a career change and joined Chesterfield County Department of Fire and EMS in 1999.

"Marie thought that would be a perfect fit."

She was right. After earning firefighter certification in 2004, Dave has been extremely active in recruiting and retaining volunteers, serving as chairperson for the past five years of the Virginia Recruitment and Retention Network.

"His leadership has been an intricate part of its successes. His dedication goes above and beyond," wrote Minday Craun, Lieutenant/Volunteer Coordinator with Augusta County Fire Rescue.

"David Tesh is incredible. He cares about EMS and keeping the valuable members they have," wrote Carol Morrow, Technical Assistance Coordinator, Virginia Office of EMS.

Last year, the Chesterfield EMS, both the career and volunteer system, responded to over 27,000 incidents. "Our success starts from the top with Chief Edward "Loy" Senter," credited Dave.

But in a field of dedicated people and "everyday heroes," Dave’s devotion stands out.

"Every volunteer and career agency has benefitted from his knowledge and positive influence in both EMS and Fire," wrote Gary Dalton, Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Past President, Life Member, Chaplin. "David reflects the need for that balance among home life, volunteerism, and work."

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If you know of someone who deserves to be recognized, email Celebrations@timesdispatch.com, Subject: Above the Crowd