A tragic discovery in Rarden underscored both the fragility of life and the dedication of local volunteer fire and emergency services who answer calls no matter how difficult.
The incident began when Pike County 911 received a call reporting an unresponsive individual slumped in a chair. With Adams County EMS unavailable to make the run, the call was transferred, and local responders quickly stepped up.
When crews arrived, they requested additional support from Rush Township, but it was Portsmouth Ambulance that was able to send a squad. Medics sadly confirmed that the individual was deceased. The Scioto County Coroner authorized release of the body to a local funeral home. Deputies remained on scene until the funeral home staff arrived to take custody of the individual.
Everyday Heroes
Though the outcome was heartbreaking, officials praised the teamwork and commitment of local first responders — many of them volunteers — who once again proved they are the backbone of rural emergency response.
Volunteer firefighters and EMS providers often leave their jobs, families, and dinner tables at a moment’s notice to serve their communities. In remote areas like Rarden, their presence means the difference between no help at all and someone being there in a family’s darkest moment.
This call is a sobering reminder of both the challenges small communities face with limited EMS coverage and the critical role volunteer responders play in filling those gaps.
