This year marks the 80th year for the Salem Rescue Squad. The world’s second volunteer rescue squad (Roanoke City’s was first) was formed in 1932 and currently boasts 45 active members. The squad has responded to over 600 calls, according to honorary member Angela Lieb, and donated over 2,000 volunteer hours so far in 2012.

Lieb’s late husband, Bob Lieb, gave 42 years of his life as an active member of the rescue squad, Angela said.

“Bob was born and raised on Broad Street,” said Angela, who was an active member in the Salem Rescue Squad for eight and a half years. The rescue squad is located just down the street from where Bob grew up, at 201 S. Broad St. He “always wanted to be part of the rescue team,” she said. When Bob was a child, he watched as his neighbors went out on calls. The year he turned 18, he made two big decisions, Angela said: to join the squad and to marry his high school sweetheart–her.

The rescue squad celebrated their 80th anniversary with a celebration on Saturday, Nov. 17.

At the ceremony, several of the members were honored for their work. Among them was Mike Moore, who Angela describes as a “longtime, dedicated life member.” She presented Moore with the fleece jacket that her husband received when he was named a life member. Bob received his jacket about a week before he died on Dec. 9, 2002, Angela said. The ceremony doubled as a memoriam near the 10th anniversary of Bob’s death.

The City of Salem also recognized the hard work and dedication of the rescue squad volunteers: Nov. 17, 2012, was named Salem Volunteer Rescue Squad Day.

For more information about the Salem Rescue Squad’s 80 years, below is a video produced by John Carlin of the John Carlin Agency.