The weather this month sure has had its ups and downs. Helderberg Ambulance responded to calls during a snowstorm, an ice storm, and when temperatures in the 60s. We answered 37 calls this month for a total of 412 calls for the year. We transported 23 patients to local hospitals. There were 21 calls in the town of Berne, 13 calls in the town of Knox, and 3 calls in other towns.

We would like to congratulate Dave Harnett who responded to 192 calls last year, Gerry Cross who responded to 160 calls, and Ray Schimmer who responded to 126 calls. Thank you and welcome to the 100 Club. Thank you also to the rest of the membership who responded to calls last year.

Remember that, on Jan. 25, there will be an American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Cole Hill Station. The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Be sure to call and reserve a spot. The number to call is 1-800- Red Cross. There will be no local calls made for appointments, so you need to call the 800 number.

We have ordered Files of Life, which are magnetic files that attach to your refrigerator. These Files of Life will provide the ambulance squad with your medical information when we arrive at your home. We have distributed 20 magnetic files to the Meal Site at the Senior Citizen Center and 40 were distributed to the seniors at the Senior Citizen meeting on Saturday.

Each month, members of the squad do a free blood-pressure clinic for the seniors who attend the monthly meeting of the Hilltown Seniors.

Remember to shovel a path to your home in case you need the ambulance.

We welcome new member, Lisa Raymond, who has joined us as a non-medical person. Lisa is helping us out with clerical work in the office. Thank you, Lisa, for all your help.

We also would like to congratulate Raoul DeGaetano for achieving Crew Chief status.

Several of our members attended the Winter Symposium at Cobleskill College. Every three years, each emergency medical technician has to recertify. This recertification includes attending classes and demonstrating skills needed as an EMT. Thank you to all of those EMTs who attended classes on Saturday, Jan. 4. The classes were very informative.

We would also like to thank JD Tires of Central Avenue in Albany for assisting the squad in purchasing new tires.