TSA St. Croix Gives Back to Community
News & Happenings
May 19, 2008
TSO Aisha Parrilla-Rhymer and AFSD
Larry Londer
Assistant Federal Security Director Larry Londer and Transportation Security Officer Aisha Parrilla-Rhymer have more than Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (U.S. Virgin Islands) in common. Both are active with the St. Croix Rescue Squad.
The rescue squad is made up entirely of volunteers trained to handle life-threatening emergencies in the islands, where emergency services are limited. At any time, the volunteers may be called to perform vehicle extrications, marine rescue, and search and rescue or to provide back-up medical response or medical air transport.
"St. Croix is my home and I want to give something back to the community and want to ensure that someone is there if my family or friends need them," said Londer, who is the squad's commander of the Extrication and Special Tactics Team. Parrilla-Rhymer said she joined the squad "to save lives and give back to the community."
In 2007, the squad responded to 53 vehicle extrications, 83 medical incidents, 152 medical air transports, and several land and marine search and rescues.
Londer said he responded to nearly every call last year, with most occurring early morning and usually in poor weather conditions. He recalled a challenging rescue when a car went over a cliff and landed in trees, pinning the driver's arm between the vehicle and the tree. Rescuers had to repel down the side of the cliff. The man survived the incident with minor injuries.
"This is a prime example of the dedication of TSA employees supporting the community by ensuring their safety and security not only through service to TSA, but around the clock," said FSD Lee Duffy.
