The year 2018 is here and we are ready for another year of serving the community by providing emergency medical services. In 2017, the Helderberg Ambulance Squad responded to 434 calls.

We thank our top three responders for the year: Dave Harnett responded to 179 calls, Gerry Cross responded to 171, and Dave Tiffany responded to 133. Thank you for your willingness to help the residents of Berne and Knox.

Christmas Day was a very busy time for the ambulance. Thanks, Tom McQuade, for responding to four calls. In December, there were 29 calls with 22 transports. Twenty-one were in the town of Berne and eight were in the town of Knox. There were two calls that were turned over to the county.  

We have two new emergency medical technicians. Congratulations to Jessica Bashwinger and Christine Sisson.

We also have two members starting the EMT class this month. Good luck with your studies, Al Raymond and Ray Schimmer. Al Raymond is now a driver for the squad.

Thanks, everyone, for your hard work.

Last year, the turnover rate went from 5 percent to 15 percent. We still need drivers and EMT personnel to help provide EMS coverage to the residents of Berne and Knox. Come to our monthly meeting on Feb. 8 at the Cole Hill Station in Berne at 7 p.m.

The Helderberg Ambulance Squad is sponsoring a blood drive on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Cole Hill station from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule an appointment.

The need for new and repeat donors is great. This month, if you donate, you will receive a $5 gift card from Dunkin’ Donuts. Due to new regulations, the members of the squad are not able to call the residents to enlist their help, so we need you to call and set up your own appointment. What a great way to start the new year by helping others!

There are several members who have been attending classes at Cobleskill College and Montour Falls.  

We welcome Dr. Dailey from Albany Medical Center as the medical director for Helderberg Ambulance.

The officers for 2018 are Alan Zuk, president; Randy Bashwinger, vice president; Cynthia Johnson, treasurer; Krista Safford, secretary; and Deb Flagler, quartermaster. The captain is Mark Resnick and the lieutenants are Nina Ruiz and Tom McQuade. The board of directors is made up of Rosemary Gebe, Dave Harnett, Mary O’Hanlon, and Chuck Feldmann.

Thanks, everyone, for all you do.