Richard Conrad (left) receives a certificate of appreciation from Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar. Contributed photo.

A member of the Washington Rescue unit was recently presented a certificate of appreciation for 25 years of service. Richard Conrad was with the unit from 1991 to 2016. Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar explained rescue helps the county in a variety of ways. They respond mainly to vehicle accidents that involve injuries or if it’s unknown if there are injuries or not. Rescue also helps when people are trapped in factory equipment, farm equipment or confined spaces. They’re also weather spotters and respond to water rescues. Search and rescue missions for missing people, rescue is dispatched to assist. Dunbar states, “basically if EMS needs help, they are there.” When Washington County Rescue started it was responsible for the entire county. Now Wellman, Kalona and Riverside have their own rescue units and Ainsworth is working on one, too.