FATHER OF THE RESCUE MOVEMENT
Julian S. Wise of Roanoke, VA is known and honored as the "Father of Rescue Squads." It all goes back to 1928 when he had witnessed a number of emergencies, particularly the drowning of a small boy in the Roanoke River. In discussing the situation with his wife, he found more than encouragement. In fact, he credits her with the idea which has grown to international proportions since he organized the famed Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew (the first in the world) in May 1928. He helped organize many of the first squads in Tennessee.