Chief John Yu died Saturday, June 2, at the age of 56. John was an integral part of the rescue community not only within our agency, but among other agencies in Knoxville and throughout the region. He served as assistant chief of the Blount County Rescue Squad since 2010. BCRS Deputy Chief Ed Wolff said, “John can best be described as a rescuer’s rescuer, a chief’s chief, a person that has touched more lives and had a positive impact on more people than could ever be counted. He is an icon in the rescue world, known for his expertise in vehicle rescue, water rescue, and special operations. He will be missed but never forgotten. I am honored to call him a friend.”
Yu was also a 29-year volunteer member of the Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc. having served as Chief of that agency on two occasions. KVRS Chief Robert Swabe stated, “He was a dedicated and tireless worker in the Rescue Squad community, and spent many hours training and sharing his expertise of rescue techniques with other responders; not only to the Knoxville Rescue Squad, but to emergency responders throughout the region.”
John was also an active board member, director, instructor/trainer and mentor for the Knox County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He was the lead medical supervisor and one of the founding program creators for the First Aid Station Program at Neyland Stadium, supporting the University of Tennessee and the Volunteers. He was a life member of both the Alabama and Virginia Tech Association of Rescue Squads and was recognized by United Way of America in their poster engagement campaign.