CHATHAM 4 CORNERS
CHATHAM RESCUE
SQUAD
SQUAD
ADDS FOUR NEW MEMBERS
Four new members were voted into the
Chatham Rescue Squad at the last regular monthly meeting. Sara
Chevalier-Johnson of Chatham, Ed Goldfrank of Austerlitz, George Huston of Ghent
and Thad Welch of East Chatham are now on six-month probationary status with the
squad.
Probationary members may drive, and
assist at the squad building while they obtain training to treat
patients.
David Gearing of East Chatham has
been appointed to oversee the paramedic coverage for the squad. Gearing is
a paramedic currently working with Chatham and other county squads. Until
now, the paramedic program in Chatham has been implemented through other
agencies; the new plan will give Chatham Rescue more options for staffing and
administrative areas.
Captain Steve Pechacek reported that
Columbia County 911 Control has listed Chatham Rescue as having 94 calls for the
month of January. He reminded members to make sure to fill our PCR forms
for every call dispatched.
Doris Gearing reminded members to
fill out proper forms for patients transported, stressing that all information
must be accurate. She also said that members must remember to note mileage
traveled, the nearest mile marker to the incident location and the direction of
travel for all calls done on the New York State Thruway, to receive revenue from
the Thruway authority.
The new Chatham Rescue Squad patches
are in -- these are a special patch designed by a former patient. EMS polo
shirts are also available; each member will receive one and may purchase
others. The captain reported that caps are also being worked on.
Captain Pechacek reminded members
that the squad must respond to all fire calls, citing chimney fires with firemen
working on a structure roof, and car fires as being necessary to cover. In
the case of smoke and alarm investigations the crew should inquire of the
officer in charge at the scene if they want the ambulance to
respond.
The coverage contract with the Town
of Ghent has been approved and signed by both parties.
Jamie Boehme reported on a recent
seminar she attended on writing grants for fund raising. Sources for
grants and proper application procedures were discussed, she will pursue avenues
of possible income.
Ms. Boehme also spoke on radio
procedures to refresh members and inform new
members.
The captain thanked several groups
of members, including: those who did drills for Chatham Central School health
education classes and crew members who are helping cover our own and other
ambulance district calls. This season is an especially busy time for all
squads.
He also thanked the members working
on connecting the squad new washer and dryer. These appliances will enable
laundry to be done at the squad building, rather than transporting and paying an
outside facility.
An emergency vehicle driving class
will be held for all members in April. Barbara Peduzzi will attend the
Regional Emergency Medical Organization ‘Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator
class at REMO headquarters on March 2. Driver qualification for new
members will be done the weekend after the regular monthly meeting.
Carolyn Pechacek has been named
Columbia County delegate to REMO; Steve Pechacek is the
alternate.
After investigating the radios
planned for purchase, the captain determined they were not up to the desired
standards; a higher grade radio with a pager will be purchased instead.
The new radios will go to squad line go to officers, with the radios that
officers have now use being given to members who need
them.
The Board of Directors is drawing up
by-laws and an administrative code to outline and direct the operation and
administration of the squad.
Valley Capital Revenue Recovery will
become the squad’s billing agency. Rob Latimer spoke to members on how to
best help his business with their service to the squad, stressing proper filling
out of Patient Care Reports.
CHATHAM RESCUE
DISPATCHED 94 TIMES IN JANUARY
Reports filed on these included 21
Advanced Life Support calls, requiring the advanced knowledge, equipment and
medication of the paid paramedic. Nineteen were Basic Life Support,
handled by Chatham Rescue Squad volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians.
Stand-by responses to fires and other activities accounted for 13, patients who
refused medical attention and were not treated totaled nine, two calls were
cancelled, six were turned over to other Columbia County Ambulance agencies to
transport the patient, once Chatham Rescue met Lebanon Valley Protective
Association to intercept and assist with the call and twice the calls were
non-emergency transports.