Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2021

1. Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew Marker

Inscription. The Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew, organized in May 1928 by Julian Stanley Wise, is recognized as the first independent, all-volunteer rescue squad in the United States. Wise, motivated by having seen two men drown in the Roanoke River during his childhood, was alter president of the International Rescue and First Aid Association. Roanoke Life Saving received an ambulance from John M. Oakey Funeral Service and operated from Oakey's properties on Kirk Ave. Members helped organize rescue squad across Virginia and beyond. In 1989, the squad merged with the Williamson Road Life Saving Crew and became Roanoke Emergency Medical Services.

Erected 2020 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-129.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Roads & Vehicles • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1928.

Location. 37° 16.175′ N, 79° 56.788′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is on Luck Avenue Southwest

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0.1 miles west of 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 Luck Ave SW, Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region

and in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roanoke Valley War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Roanoke Milestones (about 800 feet away); Greene Memorial Church (about 800 feet away); Theodore J. "Ted" Edlich, III (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oakey's (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roanoke Times (approx. ¼ mile away); Norfolk & Western Freight Station (approx. ¼ mile away); The David R. and Susan S. Goode Railwalk (approx. ¼ mile away).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2021

2. Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Robert Edward Lee (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,455 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.