HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SHANDAKEN AMBULANCE!
The year 2009 was an incredible year for
the Ambulance Service here in
Shandaken, with 451 calls answered and half receiving an Ambulance
under the
Gold Standard of eight minutes and fifty nine seconds. This standard is
set by
the Commission
on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. For
a rural agency with 119.8 square miles of coverage area this
accomplishment is
an extraordinary feat!
Albeit extraordinary feats
were nothing shy to our team in 2009 as Shandaken Ambulance was
nominated and
awarded for the first time in its history the Ulster County Ambulance
Association EMS agency of the Year award for outstanding
accomplishments made
in the year 2008.
Another first for the Squad
in
2009 was the introduction of the File of Life public safety initiative
which
provided residents an easy way to record and store their specific
medical
conditions and medications, as well as provide important information to
medical
personnel in times of serious medical emergencies in a handy red
magnetic pouch
that is attached to the refrigerator. Shandaken Ambulance also found
itself on
the World Wide Web at www.shandakenambulance.org , a website that
provides
updates on Squad activities, answers to frequently asked questions, and
public
education information.
We are starting off 2010
with a bang already, as of 1/1/10 we are now able to transmit EKG
tracings directly from our 3 cardiac monitors VIA cellular
communications to our area hospitals. This paints a better picture for
the recieving facility of patient severity and allows those facilities
to better prepare for the arrival of the individual potentially
requiring cardiac catheterization during a heart attack. Squad Officers
are currently pursuing grant opportunities for vehicle acquisition and
radio
equipment to enhance savings and services provided to the taxpayers.
Below is a graph
depicting the call
breakdown by month, as well as a pie chart outlining our times from
dispatch to
bedside. On behalf of the Town of Shandaken Ambulance we would like to thank the Town Board,
outgoing elected officials, and most of
all the Town of Shandaken
residents and visitors that supported our efforts in 2009. It is the
promise of the Town of Shandaken Ambulance Service
that we shall exercise diligence in our commitment to care for the
citizens and
visitors we provide our services to in the year 2010 and beyond.
CONGRATULATIONS CAPTAIN FRANO ON 20 YEARS!
On
September 14th, 2009 The Town of Shandaken Board at their monthly
meeting presented Captain (act.) Frano with a plaque commemmorating his
Twenty years of continuous service to the Town of Shandaken Ambulance
Service. Tony Lanza of Belleayre Mountain also presented Capt. Frano
with a certificate of recognition and kind words demonstrating Capt.
Frano's professionalism and dedication to preserving the lives of
others. Throughout the years Dennis has served as a Driver, EMT-B,
Equipment Officer, and Lieutenant with the Squad, and is currently
serving as acting Co- Captain. In addition to his dedication to the
Ambulance Service, Captain Frano has also served in a plethora of
Social and Active positions at Shandaken - Allaben
Hose Company #2 of the Phoenicia Fire District
including Interior Firefighter, Lieutenant, and Captain , and in the
past served on the Town of Shandaken Board as a Councilman. Despite his
propensity to wear denim shirts in public and to talk entirely too much
about hunting (seriously obsessive level folks), Captain Frano brings
much experience to the Ambulance Squad. It is the sincere hope of the
membership that he continues to provide the exemplary care, leadership,
and professionalism that he has demonstrated in the past
Twenty years for many years to come.
Photo
by Bill Johnson, FDphotounit.com
Eight years later- may we never forget...
and forever be vigilant!
Photo
credit to Brian Powers, Phoenicia Times Newspaper
Photo
credit to Brian Powers, Phoenicia Times Newspaper
Water Rescue - 9/6/09 - Esopus Creek
Town of
Shandaken Ambulance along with the Phoenicia Fire Department, Ulster
County Sheriffs' Dive Team, and Shandaken Police Department responded
to a report of a tuber in distress in the Esopus Creek on September 6th
at 12:29 PM. Upon the quick arrival of first responders, Town Police,
and the on duty Paramedic it was determined that the female in distress
had her leg wedged between large rocks in the rapids. Ambulance
personnel assisted the individual in the water, successfully
disentangled the individual from the rocks, and provided aide until the
victim and responder were extricated from the stream by the Ulster
County Sheriffs' Dive Team and Phoenicia Fire Department. Many thanks
to all involved in this risky and successful rescue.
The Crew's attempts to take a serious
picture!
We
tried!
Shandaken Ambulance is a hit at Shandaken
Day!!
The Town of
Shandaken Ambulance was out in force on August 29th for Shandaken Day
as two crews and various other squad members devoted their day to
community education and awareness activities as well as a little bit of
fun at the Shandaken Ambulance booth handing out Files of Life,
providing Ambulance and equipment tours, and answering questions for
patrons. The Ambulance also participated in the First annual Town of
Shandaken Emergency Services tug of war between the local Fire
Departments and EMS. Although the Ambulance lost HORRIBLY, we were
still much younger and prettier than the other teams ( Shandaken -
Allaben Hose Co. & Big Indian - Oliverea Hose Co.) and were
outmanned as the other teams had 5 members participating and the
Ambulance had only 4 (Did I mention there was a weight limit?!?).
Anyhow, a big congrats to the Big Indian - Oliverea Hose Company for
taking the crown! There's always next year folks!!!
CAPTAIN
MUELLERLEILE "MAKES A GRAB"
CAPTAIN
LONGHI HAULING LINE
EMT
& PFD CAR 45 G. CARR DIRECTS HIS TEAM
Swiftwater Rescue Training- June 12, 13, 14
Town of Shandaken
Ambulance personnel participated in an Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Class
along with members of the Phoenicia Fire District on June 12, 13, &
14 taught by Lifeguard Systems from Shokan, NY. Members learned various
techniques to mitigate emergencies on the many streams in the Town.
This training, held yearly, has proven itself on the many swiftwater
rescues that have occured in the recreational and flood prone areas in
the Town of Shandaken.
A
PROUD TEAM DISPLAYS THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS
FROM (R) CAPT. E. LONGHI, LT. D.
FRANO, TOWN SUPERVISOR P. DISCLAFANI, CAPT.
R. MUELLERLEILE
SHANDAKEN AMBULANCE WINS ULSTER COUNTY EMS
AGENCY OF THE YEAR!
On May 20,
2009 The Town of Shandaken Ambulance service was the recipient of the
Ulster County Ambulance Association EMS agency of the year award for
outstanding accomplishments made by the squad in the 2008 year. This
award is given yearly by the Ambulance Association to
an agency which strives for consistency in EMS excellence and exhibits
exemplary performance when providing pre hospital emergency medical
care. Shandaken Ambulance will now be considered as a recipient for the
Hudson Valley Regional EMS Agency of the year award.
Congratulations to all of our members new and old whom have dedicated
countless hours to the advancement of the Town of Shandaken Ambulance,
without your relentless effort and perseverance Shandaken Ambulance
would never be where it is today!
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A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST
ADDITION!
Our
newest arrival is a 2008 Dodge Durango Paramedic "fly car" which will
be used by the on duty Paramedic to get to sick and injured patients
faster. This unit was purchased from and outfitted by Warnock
Fleet in East Hanover, New Jersey, Woodchuck Carpentry and Woodworking
in Poughkeepsie, NY, tweaked by the talented hands of the Arlington
Fire Department shops of Poughkeepsie, NY, and has had several
modifications by our own employees here in Shandaken. Highlights of
this vehicle include climate controlled medication cabinets, VHF low
and high band radios, energy saving whelen LED lighting package, roof
mounted spotlight, reflective rear chevrons for optimized traffic
safety, and custom designed cardiac monitor mount for rehabilitation
purposes at extended incidents. This vehicle will serve the Town for
years to come and has already proven itself on over 100 emergency calls
to date!
.....
and no.. it does NOT have a HEMI!
Not Quite an Eagle
But.......
.....A
good story nonetheless. On a quiet fall afternoon Squad Captains
Muellerleile and Longhi, as well as Shandaken Police Officer Kyle Frano
were doing paperwork at the Emergency Services Station on Route 42 in
Shandaken when all of a sudden a concerned citizen came urgently racing
into the parking lot with the most odd situation. A fully grown Red
Tailed Hawk had been hit by a vehicle on the rural road suffering a
broken wing. The good samaritan picked up the hawk and transported it
to the station seeking advice.
Captain Muellerleile, being the city slicker he is, was
immediately
startled and saught refuge in the squad office scared of the large
talons the raptor unveiled. He then proceeded to look at more LED
lights for his vehicle and regained his composure however is still
rumored to be scarred for life. In the meantime Officer Frano and
Captain Longhi with their love for the wild and likenesses to the wild
beast took this majestic creature into their care and were able to
promptly find a local specialist to care for the bird and transported
the ailing hawk to the specialist's facility.
Kudos to all that assisted and hopes that our unofficial mascot
will eventually soar again some day!
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