By Doug La Rocque
When asked by The Eastwick Press after the Town Board meeting on Monday January 9 if the report given by Grafton Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain meant the Town is facing a crisis finding enough qualified people to answer medical emergency calls, Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum answered “yes, I think you could call it that.”[private] Captain Allain presented the Board with reports that indicated the vast majority of their calls are answered by a combination of only three people. And when at least two of them are not around, most times the ambulance cannot respond. He cited the fact that the Rescue Squad had 21 calls in December, and was unable to answer 8 of them. The problem, as reported by The Eastwick Press in October of 2015, is not limited to Grafton, or just Eastern Rensselaer County, but according to Mr. Allain, is now statewide. He mentioned that the Grafton Rescue Squad responded to 5 mutual aid calls in December, traveling to Petersburgh, North Greenbush and Brunswick. There were also several instances where Grafton required mutual aid and at one point, waited 45 minutes with still no responding unit. Fortunately, the patient ended up not needing transport in the end.
One of the reasons seems to be the amount of training that is now required to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). According to Allain, it used to take about three months of classes and practical training, but that has now risen to about 6 months of 2 to 3 evenings a week and two Saturdays every month. This, he said, is more than most people can give. The Town Board agreed it is an issue they need to address soon, with Councilman Eric Buckley indicating it is something Rensselaer County might have to take the lead on. Buckley sits on the Board’s Ambulance Committee.
Paying stipends for EMTs to answer calls is one possible answer proposed by Captain Allain. He has also previously mentioned contracting with a private ambulance service or paying for daytime staffing as other possible answers, but he said these ideas are not feasible at present. According to Allain, since the squad has begun to bill for its services including recently receiving permission to bill Medicare, he feels they could afford this approach, but there is no guarantee it would attract enough staffing.
The Captain did end his report on a high note, indicating they were called to a heroin overdose on New Year’s Day, with CPR in progress. Allain said the continued lifesaving efforts by the family, the Squad, a member of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department and the Grafton Fire Department, along with two doses of Narcan, managed to revive the patient, who was then transported in stable condition. Narcan is a drug used to help reverse the effects of an overdose. He mentioned the Rescue Squad responded to 145 calls in 2016, the exact same number as in 2015.
The Military Tribute Banners Program
Comes To Grafton
Chris Lecce, the Commander of the Taconic Valley American Legion based in Berlin, made a special presentation to the Board about the Legion’s efforts to hang banners in all area towns and villages, saluting those who have or are currently serving honorably in any of the United States Armed Forces. The package includes an 18×36” double sided, full color banner that may be hung between Memorial Day and Veteran’s day. It also includes a 12×24” yard banner and full mounting kits. They include a picture of the service member, his or her name, branch of service, rank and hometown. More information may be obtained by visiting www.troopbanners.com/grafton or at nypost937@gmail.com. You may also call Commander Lecce at 518-658-0552.
The Board gave its approval to a pair of resolutions. One sets the standard work day and hours for elected and appointed officials who are part of the NYS Retirement System. This is required by the state each year. The other allowed the clerk’s office to continue to remove very old documents according to established procedures. Town Clerk Kathy Mason-Wagar said some town books from the 1920s will be donated to the Grafton Historical Society.
Town Reports
Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck said all pieces of town equipment are up and running again. He said these little storms we have been experiencing can raise havoc with the equipment and with the Town’s salt supply. He said the Town’s supplier tells him they have about three weeks of salt left in their stockpile. After that, it might be back to the same salt shortages the state faced in 2015. He also said he is down one member of the highway department because of a back injury, but also has hired a part-time employee to help pick up the slack.
Building and Codes Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey said 64 building permits were issued last year. He also indicated a number of letters have gone out to the owners of vehicles parking on town roads. This is not allowed and is becoming both an obstacle and hazard to snow removal. Withcuskey said repeat offenders will now be ticketed. Town Clerk Mason-Wagar turned over $1,832.41 in revenue to the Town for December. [/private]