Volunteer voices

For the month of September, the Helderberg Ambulance squad had 24 calls and four calls were handled by the Albany County Sheriff’s Department ambulance. Most of these calls were during the daytime and half had the Medic ride along.

On Oct. 5, the ambulance was staged at the football field at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School. It was Homecoming weekend and the Helderberg Valley team played against the team from Sydney.

The Vital Signs Conference was held in Syracuse, New York from Oct. 11 to 14. This year was especially important to the squad because Gerry Cross was honored on Saturday as 2017 Basic Life Support Provider of the Year of New York State. Several members of the squad and their significant others attended the celebration.

On Friday night, Gerry was honored with a dinner at Cathy’s Corner Café in Syracuse. Gerry’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren were able to attend the festivities. Alan and Millie Zuk had a brief program outlining Gerry’s life as an emergency medical technician. Karen Schimmer, Berne Town Board member, presented Gerry with a proclamation from the town.

Thank you, Gerry, for your dedication of 60 years as an EMT in the town of Berne.

EMTs are certified for three years and during that time it is required that there be ongoing training.  This year, seven members attended training at the Vital Signs Conference. On Oct. 25, there will be a training sponsored by Albany Medical Center and several members are planning on attending the conference on trauma.

Raoul DeGaetano has started his EMT classes in Albany.  Good luck with your studies, Raoul.

We are always looking for new members. If you are interested, join us at our next meeting on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at the station on Cole Hill Road.

Helderberg Ambulance was given a Hoyer lift, air mattress for a hospital bed, oversized wheelchair, walkers, and commodes. If you are in need of any of these medical supplies, contact a member of the squad.