FAST DUDE WEBSITES DOMINICK A. PUCCI III

Dear Community Member, Neighbor and Friend:

The past year has kept our squad very busy.  We continued to investigate the purchase of a new ambulance to replace our old one.  We worked closely with the Horton representative, a premiere ambulance company rated number one for safety and quality.  We spent an enormous amount of time and effort and detailed out the specifications we required for this very important purchase.  We presented the package to our district commissioners and with their help, the very generous donations from people in and around our community during the past 19 years, our neighbors and friends --- and after months of research, we are proud to say that we accepted delivery of a new 2006 Ford E450 Horton ambulance.  We want everyone to share in this enormous accomplishment for our community.  We are planning an “Open House” on May 20, 2006 at the firehouse from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  We would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to attend.  Please watch for bulletins, newspapers, and the MTC Public Access Channel 10 for more information as plans materialize for this celebration. 

During the year 2005, we answered over 70 emergency calls for help.  Our squad continues to train to be the best they can be.  Bill Schryver became certified as a new EMT and Karen Hinkley recertified at that level.  Bill is currently in training to become an Advanced Life Support provider.  Wayne DeForest joined our squad and recently certified as a NYS EMT.  Dottie Carroll, registered in the Continuing Medical Education Pilot Program, also completed her program to recertify as an EMT and Betsy Bussiere recertified as a Certified First Responder.  EMT Laurel VanAken, EMT Susan Dorrance, and EMT-I Glenda Krom routinely attend continuing education sessions as they accumulate credits in their recertification program throughout a long a five-year process. Melony Lee is currently certified as a Certified First Responder.  We also implemented a new evaluation system.  We know the importance of providing the best quality pre-hospital care and we want to be sure that we are doing just that.  After responding to an emergency, we send out an evaluation form to the patient asking for their feedback.  This critique can provide us with valuable information to achieve our goal and keep your emergency responders the best they can be.

With our new ambulance in service, we will now continue our efforts to keep it stocked with the most up-to-date equipment and supplies.  Our service to you is never ending - and we want to provide you with the best pre-hospital care possible.  You have supported us in the past - we hope you will continue to do so. It is our hope that our ambulance be certified as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit when Bill Schryver completes his training. This will enable us to provide not only the best care possible - but a level of advanced care that is exceptional for our area.  Like many of us, his extensive training encompasses many months of travel to 3-hour classes and lab instruction as well as numerous weekend hours at area hospitals and scheduled “ride time” with other ambulance services to complete the patient contact requirement.  We hopefully will upgrade our service and we are researching the requirements for this level.   We know that it is a hard time of the year to come up with extra money, but any donation will help.  Please send your tax deductible donation to the Grand Gorge Rescue Squad in the enclosed self-addressed envelope. 

Thank you

CFR Betsy Bussiere, EMT Dottie Carroll, EMT Wayne DeForest, EMT Susan Dorrance, EMT Karen Hinkley,

EMT-I Glenda Krom, CFR Melony Lee, EMT Bill Schryver, EMT Laurel VanAken

"Serving the citizens of Grand Gorge since 1959"

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