To the Editor:

I just read the column on the Helderberg Ambulance [“Helderberg Ambulance answered 434 calls last year — Harnett, Cross, and Tiffany were top responders,” The Altamont Enterprise, Jan. 18, 2018]. I think it is wonderful that so many calls were answered and I am sure the people in the Helderbergs really appreciate the three top responders, but they should not have to do all the work.

Last week, a call was placed to 9-1-1 for a residence in the town of Knox, but with a Berne address. After waiting over 15 minutes, they placed another call and was told that the Helderberg Ambulance was not responding and another area was taking the call.

The ambulance arrived 20 minutes after the call was made. Thank God this call was not for a heart-attack patient, or the patient would have died.

After loading the patient, these responders did not have any idea of what was the easiest and fastest way to get from West Berne to Albany Medical Center. My sister was very lucky that her daughter-in-law was along and could give them directions.

I believe, if we are going to have an ambulance in the Hilltowns, it should be in service 24 hours a day, by either the towns or the county. Maybe the county should look into this and give these volunteers some help.

Being an ambulance responder is not an easy job and they have to go through a lot of training and you can’t depend on just a few to do the job.

Doris White

Bradenton, Florida

Editor’s note: Doris White is the sister of the patient who was taken to Albany Medical Center by ambulance.