April was a cool, rainy, and busy month for the Helderberg Ambulance squad. There were 39 calls and 25 of those calls were transports to the hospital. Thanks to our new emergency medical technicians, there was only one turnover.

The new ambulance arrived on April 6 and is fully stocked and is now in service.

On Saturday, April 6, several members attended an all-day class in Guilderland called “Transporting Children Safely.” We are looking into purchasing new car seats so that our pediatric patients are safe in our ambulance.

We welcomed four new members: Neal Hogan, Nancy Montesano, Adrianna Fahd, and Mark Fahd.  Neal is currently enrolled in an EMT class and Adrianna and Mark are looking into upcoming EMT classes. Welcome to the squad.

On April 27 and 28, Helderberg Ambulance Squad hosted a Prehospital Trauma Life Support class and several members from neighboring squads attended. This class is an intensive 16-hour course that has class time, hands-on activities, and a final test and evaluation. Congratulations to all who took the test and are now certified for four years.

There will be recognition for Gerry Cross at the Berne Masonic Lodge on May 30, at 7:30 p.m. We look forward to honoring Gerry for his 60 years of service with emergency medical services.

There will be an EMS Memorial Service at the State Plaza in Albany on May 21, at 11 a.m.

On Monday, May 13, the ambulance will visit the Knox Nursery School at 12:15 p.m. We enjoy going to the schools and meeting with the students and teachers. We will do some bandaging, listen to heart sounds with the stethoscope, check pulses, and we even give the children a ride on the stretcher.

Be sure that your children know their home address and in case of an emergency to dial 9-1-1. Thanks, Gerry, Al, Neal, and Millie.

On June 21, 22, and 23, the ambulance will be stationed at the Puckerstreet Fair in Knox. Be sure to stop by and visit with us.

Watch for the ambulance at the Memorial Day parades in Berne and Knox.

We are always looking for new members. If you are not interested in riding the ambulance, we are in need of people who are interested in clerical work. We meet the second Thursday of each month at the station on Cole Hill Road at 7 p.m.