submitted by Bill Gaillard
On Sunday, January 17, the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad held its annual installation dinner and awarded service certificates. Alan Bornt, 25 year Chief of the North Hoosick Fire Department, the Installation Officer, placed into office the following Squad Officers: President – Bill Gaillard, Vice President – Deb Lohnes, Secretary – Georgianna Parker, Accounts Receivable – Rose Ann Miller, Accounts Payable – Sue Eddy and Captain – Rita Kittel. Board members installed included Carol Hanselman and John May. To conserve funds the event was held in quarters for active members and catered by Jean’s Place.
With its small membership of 20, each elected officer wears many hats. Quality Improvement and Patient Care reports are handled by Rose Ann, Beth, Sue and Rita. Sue and Rita also handle the annual fund-raiser (Municipal Marketing).
Training officers are Bill and Deb, with assistance of AHA instructors Rita Kittel and Ron Sampath. John May handles the maintenance of the ambulances and radio repair.
Service certificates were presented to the following auxiliary members (drivers): for five years – Eric Amidon, John Lettre, Alan Bornt and Corey Kessler, for two years – Robert Bornt, Paul Davendonis, John Parker and Ted Senecal.
Service certificates were given to the following Squad members: Bryan Amidon, Cindy Mattison and Harold McClellan for one year. Nick Hunt, Justin Carter and Robin Kessler for two years, for ten total years – Georgianna Parker, for eleven years to Melinda Moore (hospital liaison), for fourteen years, Ron Sampath, for fifteen years to Deb Lohnes, for twenty-one years to John May, for twenty-three years to Rose Ann Miller, for twenty-six years to Carol Hanselman, for twenty-seven years to Beth Cipperly, for twenty-nine years to Rita Kittel, for thirty-one years to Sue Eddy and for forty-three years to Bill Gaillard.
Eleven squad members are Emergency Medical Technicians, including Justin Carter, Cindy Mattison, Beth Cipperly, Sue Eddy, Rita Kittel, John May, Rose Ann Miller, Ron Sampath, Bill Gaillard and Deb Lohnes. Bill and Deb are Nationally Registered EMTs. Squad members not EMTs receive intense training within the squad, including CPR and AED.
All ambulances are NYS Certified and the minimum level of training required by the State to be in charge of patient care is the EMT.
Services provided by the squad include glucose monitoring for diabetics, epi-pen for severe allergic reactions, Nebulized Albuterol for severe breathing problems as well as defibrillation. The newest equipment includes the Zoll Autopulse which provides chest compression for the patient in cardiac arrest thus freeing the other attendants to do other resuscitative measures.
The Squad needs new members (as all volunteer squads do) to maintain daily 24/7 service. This is most difficult with present staffing, but with excellent mutual aid, residents are provided timely ambulance service.
Interested candidates caring for their community should contact 686-9715 or 686-0810 for applications.
