911 A look inside the emergency services & urgent care offerings in our region
A special section of the
Sullivan County Democrat • March 2017 • Section E • Callicoon, NY
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EDITORIAL
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Who you gonna call...? W
hen you have an emergency, you pick up the phone and dial 911. And you expect that help will arrive as soon as possible. You rely on that help arriving in a timely and efficient manner. You never stop to think “What if nobody comes?� Sullivan County’s emergency responders are members of ambu-
lance corps, fire departments, police departments, utility companies and more. These emergency responders don’t get a day off during the holidays, nor do they have the choice to call out during a Nor’easter like the one that dropped more than two feet of snow on our county earlier this month. These responders are working on
INSIDE THE EMERGENCY SERVICES & URGENT CARE OFFERINGS IN OUR REGION
9-1-1 Published by
Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc. Publishers of the
(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723 March 28, 2017 • Vol. CXXVI, No. 82
Christmas and aiding others in the worst of weather conditions. Why? Because we need them. Many emergency responders are volunteers. They dedicate their time to service and helping others, which is why they are an invaluable part of our society. There are truly not enough ways to thank these men and women. With that in mind, we present our 911 special section, which provides an inside look at the emergency services and urgent care offerings in our region. Within these pages, you will learn Publisher: Senior Editor: Editor: Sports Editor: Editorial Assistants: Advertising Director: Advertising Coordinator: Advertising Representatives: Special Sections Coordinator: Business Manager: Business Department: Telemarketing Coordinator: Classified Manager: Production Associates: Circulation & Distribution:
about Dick Martinkovic’s more than four decades of service, a local fire department which is celebrating its 90th birthday, a front-line view of the overdose epidemic, the importance of fire cadets, urgent care options and the annual burn ban. You can also read about ways you can help, from what to do during an emergency to a list of upcoming blood drives. Many of these stories, like emergency responders, are inspiring. While we are lucky to have these individuals who give so much, we hope you too are inspired to get involved, because there is always more we can do! Fred W. Stabbert III Dan Hust Carol Montana Joseph Abraham Kaitlin Carney, Richard Ross, Jeanne Sager, Autumn Schanil, Kathy Daley Liz Tucker Janice Vooght Barbara Matos, April Spruill Susan Panella Susan Owens Patricia Biedinger Michelle Reynolds Janet Will Nyssa Calkin, Petra Duffy, Elizabeth Finnegan, Ruth Huggler, Rosalie Mycka, Claire Humbert Linda Davis, Kohloa Zaitsha, Billy Smith, Phil Grisafe
Great emergenc g y care near you u! At UHS Delaware Va allle ey Hospital, our Emerge ency Department is open 24 hours a da ay, off ffe ering high-quality car c e from staff specially trained in em mergency and trauma medicine m . We can respond to a wide ran nge of illnesses and injurries, right here. But what’s just as com mffor o ting is that we’re a well-connected ER, with a direct link to th he regional Trauma Center at UHS Wilson Medical Center in Grea e ter Binghamton. Your o E ER. Closer to home. Ready if you need us.
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White Lake Fire Department turns 90!
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOSEPH ABRAHAM he White Lake Fire Company, which was established in 1927, turns 90 this year! Established by the Board of Supervisors on August 13, 1928, the fire company was then officially incorporated in February of 1933. The old fire house was originally an old chapel, which was lifted in 1962 in order to put a two-bay garage under the building. It was then able to house the three fire trucks the department had at the time. The beach property that the fire department owns – where the current firehouse sits – was purchased in
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From the left, First Lieutenant Jeremy Cunningham, Second Assistant Chief Charles Stackhouse, Chief Brendon Cunningham, First Assistant Chief Joshua Cunningham, Captain Shane Cunningham and Second Lieutenant Richard Meihoefer.
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stand in honor and applaud your dedication to our community’s safety and well being. Congratulations White Lake Volunteer Fire Company on 90 years of service!
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Current Officers White Lake Fire Company 2017 Chief-Brendon Cunningham 1st Asst Chief-Joshua Cunningham 2nd Asst Chief-Charles Stackhouse Captain Shane Cunningham 1st Lieutenant Jeremy Cunningham 2nd Lieutenant Richard Meihoefer
Congratulations to the White Lake Department on their 90th Anniversary!
OPENING FALL 2017
Past Chiefs George Stephenson 1927-1938 Jack Liss 1938-'53 Richard Morey 1953 Jarius Miller '53-'54 Vincent Radzieski '54-'55 Harry Eldridge '55-'56 Robert Schaefer '56-'58 Kenneth Dauch '58-'59 Joseph Stachow '59-'60 Merlin Hendrickson '60-'61 Herbert Middaugh '61-'63 Ernie Keesler '63-'69 Thomas Hendrickson '69-'70 Herbert Middaugh '70-'73 Fredrick Davison '73-'76 Richard Foschino '76-'77 Kenneth Brucher '77-'78
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Charles Appelbaum '78-'79 Kenneth Brucher'79-'81 Robert Keesler '81-'86 Kenneth Brucher '86-'87 Richard Bruning '87-'92 Russell Keesler '92-'95 Richard Hendrickson '95-'97 Ralph Brown Sr '98-00 Robert Yakin Jr '00-02 Derk VanWolde '02-'04 Robert Yakin Jr '04-'05 Todd Telesky '05-'07 Russell Keesler '08 Robert Davison '09-'11 Brendon Cunningham 2012present
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This Certificate of Incorporation, the original from 1933, hangs in the White Lake Fire Department.
Brendon Cunningham, who has served in that position since 2012, the fire department runs in his blood. His great grandfather joined the White Lake FD in 1936, and his grandfather, Thomas Hendrickson
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1974 and came with the house across the street. The company sold the property to help pay for the current firehouse, which was built in 1992. They also took out a loan, which has already been paid off in seven years with money raised from bingo. For current White Lake Fire Chief,
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The White Lake FD’s first fire truck, a 1928 Ford Model AA, stills runs great!
of “Jaws of Life” extrication equipment on April 12, 1989. The check for the equipment was presented by the town as part of money for the emergency first responders from the Marcy South Powerline that was run
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through the town of Bethel. Today, White Lake FD, still focuses on specialized training in vehicle extrication. Also, the White Lake FD has seven divers as part of the Sullivan County
Dive Task Force Team. Fifteen of their active members are surfaced ice rescue technicians. The fire department is also a part of the Town of Bethel Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST).
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was named Fire Chief in 1969 and served during the Woodstock festival. During that historic event, he brought tankers of drinking water and food for festival goers. Cunningham and his four brothers make up five of the department’s 29 active members. “It’s good fun,” Cunningham said. “It’s definitely a second family. Your life revolves around it. A lot of what we do are drill nights and different events.” Ray Neuenhoff currently serves as the fire department’s president. He has been with White Lake FD since 1970. “You belong,” he said. “You are a part of the community.” On his fondest memories from his time with the fire department, Neuenhoff said, “Building this firehouse, the accomplishment of getting it and the accomplishment of paying it off.” Their first fire truck was a 1928 Ford Model AA, which they still own. It runs beautifully! Another big event was when the White Lake FD received their first set
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The White Lake Fire Department was established in 1927. The current firehouse was built in 1992. It was paid for in part by money earned from selling the home across the street which came with the beach property where the firehouse sits. They also took out a loan which was paid off in seven years from money raised from bingo.
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We Are Grateful For All Our Emergency Workers!
Are you or someone you love battling with alcohol, drugs, or gambling? Addiction affects the entire family.
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Crystal Run Healthcare Your Neighborhood Urgent Care
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At Crystal Run, no appointment is needed, there are often less out of pocket expenses than a trip to the emergency room, and prescriptions are automatically sent into the pharmacy at the time of visit. Keeping our patients’ convenience top of mind, Crystal Run Urgent Care also offers stand-by appointments with Pediatricians and Primary Care Physicians to ensure little to no wait times and provides patients with the opportunity to book appointments for follow-up care before leaving the facility.
For patients who have not already established a Primary Care Physician (PCP), that can be done onsite, too. And in addition to offering onsite state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging – including CT, MRI, X-ray and Ultrasound – IV hydration, sutures, wound care, and injections are also accessible.
YOUR URGENT CARE OF CHOICE EXCEEDING BENCHMARKS IN CARE The first Urgent Care to open in Sullivan County, Crystal Run Urgent Care is the most convenient and the only choice for you and your loved ones – providing the best quality and compassionate care possible. We’ve cared for you for more than a decade, and we will continue to care for you for years to come. Not only is our Urgent Care center managed by trained Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine Physicians at all times, but it is also operated by certified Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, who treat patients of all ages. What’s more, having a Physician available at all times is one of the many criteria that Crystal Run has
met in order to be the only private practice Urgent Care in the region to be both accredited by The Joint Commission and an Accredited Urgent Care Center, as designated by the Urgent Care Association of America – reflecting our enduring commitment to providing the safest, highest quality of care to our patients in one place. Perhaps what also sets Crystal Run apart is the practice’s commitment to offering greater access to quality care. Our Urgent Care centers are connected to the practice’s multi-specialty group medical practice, giving patients access to renowned Physicians in nearly 50 medical and surgical specialties. Additionally, the practice’s innovative electronic health records system seamlessly connects Primary Care, Urgent Care, and specialists, allowing providers access to Urgent Care records in order to offer patients a coordinated and dynamic healthcare experience.
WHEN TO VISIT THE EMERGENCY ROOM VS. URGENT CARE:
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or over a decade, Crystal Run Healthcare has been providing the residents of Sullivan County with access to superior urgent care when they need it the most. As an organization focused on the health and wellness of its community members, Crystal Run believes that offering patients convenient access to quality care is a top priority. That’s why our Urgent Care facilities, located in five convenient locations including Rock Hill, are open seven days a week, 365 days a year – even on nights and holidays.
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And for true emergencies, the Emergency Room can handle trauma, surgical procedures, and other life-threatening situations, such as: â&#x20AC;˘Chest pain â&#x20AC;˘Difficulty breathing â&#x20AC;˘Loss of consciousness â&#x20AC;˘Life-threatening allergic reactions â&#x20AC;˘Life-threatening asthma â&#x20AC;˘Severe bleeding or head trauma â&#x20AC;˘Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision â&#x20AC;˘Stroke
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Cadet firefighters are key to the fire service’s future
H
ow do you recruit volunteer firefighters these days? Start ‘em young. “Seventy-five percent of our members started before the age of 18,” affirms Rick Graham, chief of the Youngsville Fire Department. “We found that the earlier we get them here, the longer they’ll stay.” That’s as young as 14, thanks to the Cadet Firefighter Program (CFP). Open to 14- and 15-year-olds living within the Youngsville Fire District, the CFP introduces teen boys and girls to the workings of the fire department – and that includes being on scene at fires and other calls. “They have to be doing well in school,” Rick relates. They can’t respond to alarms during school hours or in a way that might interfere with scholastic activities, but so long as they have parental permission and undergo
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Youngsville Fire Captain Chris Klein completes an inventory check of a fire truck. The department’s very first cadet, he’s become a key member of the team.
safety training, they’re eagerly welcomed by the commissioners and membership.
“We’ve been able to get about a dozen through our Cadet Program,” Rick notes. “Many volunteer depart-
ments struggle [with recruiting active members], and this has helped us a lot.” He’s quick to add these young people aren’t being put in harm’s way. They’re prohibited from interior firefighting, working within the collapse zone of any structure fire, climbing ladders, driving apparatus, or other hazardous duties. That includes possessing, serving or consuming alcohol. But with proper training and gear, and under the mentoring guidance of an adult firefighter, chief officer or incident commander, they can be given a wide range of duties that longtime volunteers also undertake: distributing and retaking hose, maintaining equipment and apparatus, organizing and conducting fundraisers, learning how to plan for and respond to different types of emergencies, and more. “It’s very similar to an Explorer program in the Boy Scouts,” explains Rick. “They do a lot of the same training we do.”
THANK YOU! TO ALL OUR FIRE AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL
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The Youngsville Fire Department’s current crop of cadets includes, from the left, Kris Rasmussen, Jordan Latimer and William Hardenbergh.
We tha n our EM k all S for their h ard wo rk & ded ication !
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“He’s still with us today, with 13 years of service. He’s now our captain.” Youngsville’s pioneering success has since been duplicated in an array of area departments, and it’s likely a cadet program exists near you. You’ll need to get in touch with your local fire department, as each sets its own rules for cadet firefighters, but to see the original example, visit www.youngsvillefire.org/cadetmembers.html.
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Ultimately, the goal is to have cadets graduate into full-fledged volunteers when they turn 16 (albeit on restricted duty until they gain statemandated training, followed by full membership at age 18). Many go on to become certified divers, line officers and EMTs. “We had the first cadet in Sullivan County: Chris Klein,” notes Rick, adding Chris earned a Firefighter of the Year award when he was just 16.
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Middletown Medical opens first 24-hour urgent care in region
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iddletown Medical, the Hudson Valley's premier provider of healthcare services, has opened the first 24-hour urgent care center in the region, located at 111 Maltese Drive in Middletown. Patients can now receive immediate care for non-emergency illness and injuries without an appointment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Medical practitioners are always available to treat all patients, from infants to seniors, without the long wait time or high out-of-pocket costs that are typically associated with emergency rooms. “This is a big step forward for the region’s residents, who have had to either go to the emergency room for non-emergency care during the overnight hours or wait until the morning,” said Melissa Wolff, the medical group’s Marketing Director and Physician Recruiter. “Our 24hour service allows patients the
convenience of faster care for nonlife-threatening injuries or illnesses at a lower cost.” Wolff continued, “In fact, depending on the patient’s co-pay and level of treatment, the average cost of an emergency room visit is $1,233, while an urgent care visit costs between $50 and$150.” Middletown Medical’s urgent care accepts most insurance plans and is proud to offer worry-free pricing for self-pay patients without health insurance. Although life-threatening injuries and conditions still need to be treated at the hospital, the 24-hour urgent care offers relief from common issues such as broken bones, minor fevers, asthma, stomach pain, rashes, minor burns, removal of stitches, and allergic reactions. For more information, visit www.middletownmedical.com and click on Middletown Urgent Care.
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To Our Brother Dick Martinkovic Best Wishes and Congratulations on your Retirement We Appreciate your Service Rock Hill Volunteer Fire Department
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Dick Martinkovic and his wife Janet certainly enjoyed the gift from Warren County Director of Emergency Management Brian LaFlure, who brought with him a remote-controlled toy SUV that operated just like Martinkovicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full-size version when he was Sullivan Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public safety commissioner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the lights and siren that played the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad Boysâ&#x20AC;? theme!
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STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAN HUST
C
hiefs of public safety tend to hear the worst: a fire has injured a firefighter, a flood has swept away a familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, a gunman has killed an innocent bystander, an ambulance corps has run out of volunteers, a politician is upset with policy or personnel, and so
forth. March 5, however, proved to be the one day in more than four decades that Richard â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dickâ&#x20AC;? Martinkovic didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to bear bad news. Instead, he was raucously cheered by over 200 folks who love who he is,
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A life of service is celebrated ... and Martinkovicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not done yet
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what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done, and how heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lived. Some attended to wish him well in his retirement as Sullivan Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fire Coordinator and Public Safety Commissioner, sharing stories both eye-opening and chuckle-inducing. Others came to the Liberty firehouse to recall Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many days in active service with that department, where he first fostered a love of emergency response and public service. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank Y ou to All our D GEORGE BURKLE, INC. edica 911 Resp ted onders!â&#x20AC;?
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;GOOD LUCK DICK!â&#x20AC;?
More than 200 folks from around the county and the state converged inside the truck bays of the Liberty firehouse to congratulate Dick Martinkovic on nearly five decades of public service in the emergency response field.
We thank our First Responders and Emergency Medical Personnel for all that they do for our communities.
On your Retirement Dick Martinkovic SCVFA President-1992
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Thank You for All Your Good Work!
Liberty Service Center
Ramsay’s Funeral Home, Inc. Monticello 794-2700
48453
Q
Kauneonga Lake 583-5445
Ramsay’s Granite and Marble
• Fire • Soot • Smoke • Water
24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
We also specialize in cleaning carpets, rugs, ceramic tile & upholstery. Member of Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and Hudson Valley Better Business Bureau
Cochecton, NY
Craig & Vince Annunziata
845-932-8475
www.duraclean78.com Many Thanks to All Emergency Personnel for your Time and Dedication.
DONNA AKERLEY
Town Clerk, Registrar, Tax Collector and Notary Public
TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE 19 Railroad Plaza, P.O. Box 2019 Phone: (845) 434-8810 x1 | Fax: (845) 434-8809 South Fallsburg, NY 12779 donna@fallsburgny.com www.townoffallsburg.com
Effective, Natural Relief for: • Headaches, Dizziness • Neck Pain, Tight Muscles • Shoulder & Arm Pain • Low Back, Hip & Leg Pain • Most insurance & HMOs accepted • Old Fashioned Doctor Patient Relationship in warm comfortable atmosphere
Dr. Jorge R. Delgado • Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist • 29 years of experience 26471
15218
Liberty 292-7160
R
Foreign & Domestic Repairs Ken Emery 4 Oak Street Liberty • 292-6334
Fire and Water Damage Restoration
37595
Thanks to all the Emergency Units!!!!
Now in o 38th ur year
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Well, sort of. He’s still got his son Mike’s wedding to plan, and he and wife Janet actively maintain a home in Delaware in addition to the one in Liberty. He also remains president of the NYS Fire Coordinators’ Association. “I’m getting a little bit used to staying home,” he chuckled, “and picking where I want to go instead of having to be there!”
Forestburgh Fire Department). “I’m very thankful for them to come out and show me appreciation,” Dick affirmed. Now he’s adjusting to a life focused on his priorities, rather than everyone else’s.
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• Member of the Sullivan and Liberty Chambers
Providing Personalized Chiropractic care for the entire family in this community for over 22 years. 44 Lanahan Road, Monticello, NY 12701 -AND10 Hanofee Drive, Liberty, NY 12754 (845) 292-3455 www.spineinorder.com
48467
“The friendship is just unimaginable, I am truly humbled by the number of people who came to honor me.”
Still more arrived to reminisce about his time in political office in the Town of Liberty, including an eight-year supervisorship. And there were those who simply wanted to hug the man they call Dad, friend, brother, classmate. Dick is, after all, a lifelong resident who first learned the value of hard work right here in Liberty, as a teenage employee of Grossinger’s. “The friendship is just unimaginable,” he marvelled days later. “I am truly humbled by the number of people who came to honor me.” They brought with them 18 plaques, a number of certificates and at least one fire hydrant lamp (courtesy of the
DURA-114071 DURA-126384
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017
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911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
Give blood, save a life or three
When it’s an emergency, the clock is ticking and your mind is racing. “How long will we have to wait for answers?”
When seconds count, count on our Emergency Department
At Ellenville Regional Hospital Emergency Department we understand how hard it is to wait. That’s why we have won national awards for our brief wait times and the quality of our life-saving care.
our one-pint donation of blood has the potential to save as many as three lives. Giving blood is fast and easy, and you might even be able to register
ahead of time. Check it out at www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass. Here are some local donation sites as well as dates when you can donate:
March 29 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monticello Firehouse 23 Richardson Avenue, Monticello Note: This is a competition drive sponsored by the Fire Department, Monticello Elks, Rotary club, and Kiwanis
April 17 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Youngsville Firehouse 1822 Shandelee Road, Youngsville
April 29 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Hemlock Farms Fire Department 1053 Hemlock Farms Road, Lords Valley, PA
April 4 12:30 - 5:30 p.m. Tabernacle Bible Church 455 Grove Street, Honesdale, PA
May 2 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Hawley United Methodist Church 315 Church Street, Hawley, PA
April 7 12:45 - 6:30 p.m. Liberty Masonic Lodge 20 Eagle Drive, Liberty
ERH Emergency Department (845) 647-6400 ext. 264
May 9 12:30 - 6:30 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church 827 Church Street, Honesdale, PA
April 12 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Catskill Regional Medical Center Bushville Road, Harris 41734
In an emergency call 911
April 18 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sullivan County Community College 1000 Leroy Road, Loch Sheldrake April 19 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wayne Memorial Hospital 601 Park Street, Honesdale, PA
March 30 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Bethany Village 150 Noble Lane, Bethany, PA
David C. Williams, PA
10 Healthy Way | Ellenville NY 12428 | (845) 647-6400
Y
March 30 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. Rock Hill Firehouse 61 Glen Wild Road, Rock Hill
Our quick-thinking emergency providers are trained experts who are absolutely committed to our patients. We never want you to have to face an emergency, but you can count on us if you do.
ellenvilleregional.org
MARCH, 2017
May 10 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Catskill Regional Medical Center Bushville Road, Harris
April 14 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Tafton Fire Hall State Route 507, Tafton, PA
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Human Resource Department
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845 - 707 - 8300
or scan code with your smart device to apply now
38504
49118
The Region’s Employer of Choice! Comprehensive Benefits, Staff Day Care and Innovative Employee Wellness Programs
MARCH, 2017
911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
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A “Big Thanks” to all the Emergency Personnel!!! Sullivan County’s Own . . . 15166
800-770-6347 • 845-434-5051
June 14 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Catskill Regional Medical Center Bushville Road, Harris June 14 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. ProCare Physical Therapy and Fitness
BROTHE
June 30 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Beach Lake Fire Co. 1033 Beach Lake Highway, Route 652, Beach Lake, PA July 7 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Church at Hemlock Farms Corner of Willow and Lookout Drives, Lords Valley, PA
COMPUTER NETWORK
Design Installation
Repair Consultation
Troubleshooting
BLOOMINGBURG, NEW YORK 12721 201-538-5399 • INFO@CATSKILLNET.COM
August 9 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Catskill Regional Medical Center Bushville Road, Harris
RS
38068
June 14 11:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m. Wayne Memorial Hospital 601 Park Street, Honesdale, PA
TH A N K YOU
June 27 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Queen of Peace Church 314 Chestnut Street, Hawley, PA
40845
June 6 12:30 - 6:00 p.m. Wayne County Park Street Complex 648 Park Street, Honesdale, PA
1564 Route 507, Suite C, Greentown, PA
27277
May 22 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Damascus Area School 174 High School Road, Damascus, PA
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911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017
The Shawangunk Fire in the spring of 2015 consumed over 2,500 acres of forest in Sullivan and Ulster Counties. The fire was started by two men who burned materials in an open fire during a burn ban. The fire burned for over two weeks before it was brought under control.
“We appreciate what you do for the community every day.”
Callicoon Co-Operative Insurance Co. 15994
Chapel Street, Jeffersonville Tel. 482-5522
Fire
T&T EVENTS EMBROIDERY
Celestial and destructive Burn ban in effect through May 14
SCREEN PRINTING
601 HARRIS RD FERNDALE NY
48667
BY AUTUMN SCHANIL
26737
16028
Many thanks to those who come to our rescue when we need them most.
T
here is something captivating about a flickering flame. People are mesmerized by the red, orange, yellow, and sometimes blue, tones of a dancing fire, love to feel its warmth, to test its limits, and watch it consume its source of fuel. Fire has been crucial to human survival for more than a million years, and so, we’ve learned to control and utilize it for our benefit. But fire can get out of control, and quickly, consuming everything in its path: houses, entire towns, fields, forests and mountainsides. Its damage is multiplied in dry conditions and times of drought. Open burning of debris is the single largest cause of spring wildfires each year in New York. So every year, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) instills a Burn Ban, regulating open burning in order to prevent wildfires, during times when the environment is abnormally to exceptionally dry. Residential brush burning is prohibited this year, 2017, from March 16 through May 14 across New York State. “While many people associate wildfires with the western United States, the early start of spring weather, dry conditions, and lack of snow pack
increase the risk for wildfires in New York,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “New York prohibits residential burning during the high-risk fire season to reduce wildfires and protect people, property, and natural resources. The ban has been extremely effective in reducing the number of wildfires, and we’re encouraging New Yorkers to put safety first.” As of March 14, Sullivan County is considered to be in moderate drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor, and due to the lack of snow cover over much of the state, conditions for wildfires could be heightened, especially as temperatures begin to rise. The DEC stated that currently, fire conditions are at low risk for most of the state but cautions must be taken regardless. New York first enacted restrictions on open burning back in 2009. In the seven-year period since, the number of spring fires per year, on average, has decreased by more than 35 percent. Some towns are designated “fire towns,” where open burning is actually prohibited year-round. Most of these towns are located in and around the Catskill and Adirondack parks. Violators of the open burning regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions and a minimum fine of $500 for the first offense. For more information on the burn ban or to find towns that are designated as “fire towns” you can visit www.dec.ny.gov.
911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017
Thank You to All Emergency Responders from
“THANK YOU”
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“THANK YOU” to All the Emergency Responders for your Dedication, Time and Service to our Community.
to all of our
Emergency Responders from
Proudly offering:
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From
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Hudson Valley DKI is a leading restoration contractor in the Hudson Valley, NY area with over 30 years of experience in disaster restoration and we provide restoration services to commercial, insurance, and residential clients.
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Customers in the Hudson Valley area count on Hudson Valley DKI when things appear at their worst.
DKI is the Largest Restoration Contracting Organization in North America.
Our emergency services include: • Water Damage Mitigation • Fire and Smoke Damage • Mold Remediation • Biohazard Remediation • Board-up and Tarping • Complete Reconstruction • National Catastrophe Response • Contents Restoration • And more!
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845.292.8640
48996
i Adult Day Health Services Program i Short-Term Rehabilitation i Long-Term Skilled Nursing i Respite Stays i Memory Care Unit
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911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017 M
What can you do in an emergency? BY MARGARET BRUETSCH
I
n today’s world, everybody carries a cell phone and in the case of an emergency most would use that to reach out to 911, but what if you were in an area without service? Or what if an accident needed immediate attention? What can a civilian do to help?
CALL 911
The most important thing you can do at any emergency scene is to call 911. The dispatcher will not only send help your way, but will also talk you through ways you can help if someone needs immediate attention. “Listen to your dispatcher. The dispatcher will give you pre-arrival instructions or things that you can do,” Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps President April White explained. “In the case of something like a cardiac arrest, they’ll walk you through the steps of CPR.” Always try to listen to what a dispatcher has to say to you and answer their questions as best you can so
emergency responders are prepared when they arrive on scene.
SCENE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS “The number one thing they teach us as responders that the public should keep an eye on is scene safety,” White said. “Make sure your safety is put first. If it's you versus the guy in the burning building let the professionals handle it. They tend to have better resources and training for an emergency.” If you can help in a safe scene then do, but if the dispatcher tells you not to take action you can still help by making your scene safe. Put away any dogs, make sure an ambulance can drive right up to the house, and make sure pathways are clear at a home emergency. In the case of a fire get yourself to safety. For a roadside accident do what you can to make sure that you and any other civilians are out of harm's way. Some other ways to prepare for emergency responders is to be well prepared before an accident occurs.
Make sure house numbers are visible and large enough for emergency responders to see. Keep your driveway clear. Put on your outside lights. Anything you can do to draw attention. “Don't put a little sticker,” White said. “As much as people hate the gaudy reflective numbers they’re amazing for us to see. And make sure the number is on your house as well as your mailbox.” The sooner emergency responders can identify a house, the quicker they can come to your aid. Get to a safe space if you're on the road, don't become what White calls the “walking wounded.” “You want to be away from the hazard of the vehicles,” White said. “It also gives the fire and EMS responding more room to work.”
CLEARLY COMMUNICATE “Try to provide the best description you can of a scene,” White said reiterating the importance of a dispatcher. “The dispatcher is only seeing what
you tell them. It means a lot to our side to know what we as responders are coming into.” Pay attention to surroundings and describe the accident scene as well as any injuries suffered as clearly as you can. Try to assess what’s going on and use common sense. “If someone’s got blood spurting out cover it and apply pressure,” White said. But make sure you communicate everything you can to the dispatcher as that information is relayed to responders. In addition, communicate with those injured and try to keep them calm.
BE AWARE “Know where you are,” White warns. “So many people have no idea where they live or the road they are on when they're driving.” White recommends that parents teach their kids, especially when they're riding a bus. “Kids pick up those things like sponges,” White said.
911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017
VIAL OF LIFE Keep a record of any medication and medical history in a File of Life on the refrigerator or a Vial of Life in with your medicine. “This is particularly for our elderly people, but I’d love it if everyone would do it,” White recommended. If you keep a record of your age, medicine and any medical history or allergies it can help responders when they bring you to the hospital. Also keep the information with your medicine and keep it in one place, this way EMS has all the information together. You can even put it in your phone, especially since everyone carries them now. Most phones offer some type of health app where you can store that information.
MOVE OVER ON THE ROAD Even if you're not at an Emergency scene, you can help by having courteous driving habits. “Any time you see an ambulance, fire truck, police car or volunteers … anytime you see blue lights it is the greatest courtesy, and we appreciate it, if you move over to the right,” White urged. If you can’t pull over
right away, get to a safe area and move over. “Particularly on blind curves or hills, get to an area where you can see and we can see.” Pull over even if you see an ambulance trying to pass somebody in another lane, try to get out of the way. Emergency responders appreciate the extra breathing room. Additionally, if there’s an accident it's a law to move over if you see emergency responders. “There’s the courtesy and there’s the law,” White said. “Move over as far as you can and slow down. It’s not worth it for anybody else to get hurt in an emergency situation.”
LEARN MORE “Try and get some formal training,” White recommended. “Look for an American Heart or basic first aid and CPR class. It’s always for your benefit, especially if you have young kids.” While TV shows and movies may make it enticing to be a hero, if you act without any training or don't understand what a dispatcher is telling you, you could end up causing more harm or exacerbate injuries. Your goal is to keep the accident in stasis until the trained professionals
arrive. Unless there’s something threatening life or limb at that moment you should try to keep people calm, and provide the best information to those arriving. And if you want to be able to help right away get that formal training. “If anybody wants to know more about how they can help, stop by and visit us,” White recommended. “That goes for any ambulance corps, fire department or police station. Even if we’re on scene ask us how you can help and listen if we say no.” More often than not White believes most emergency responders will appreciate some help, but sometimes the less people there are on scene the better. You just have to ask. “Come take a look at our ambulance and see what you like,” White said. If you're that interested in helping, take the dive and volunteer. “One of the best things is training is free with the volunteer corps. Whatever courses you want to take, we’ll support you in that.”
GOOD SAMARITAN LAW If you're ever worried about helping out at an emergency scene before
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professionals arrive because of possible lawsuits, you shouldn't worry. In New York State there are two distinct laws that protect bystanders. New York State Public Health Law Article 30, section 3000-A states that “any person who voluntarily and without expectation of monetary compensation renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or other emergency … [outside a professional treatment facility] shall not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person” or even for the death of the individual a civilian was trying to save. In most states, this is what’s known as a Good Samaritan Law, the protection of people who will help others out of the goodwill in their hearts. But in NYS the Good Samaritan Law is a little different. New York State’s Good Samaritan Law protects those who call 911 and report a drug overdose without fear of being arrested for being in the presence of, or even using drugs. It’s an attempt to help stop the mortality rate of drugs like heroin that are ravaging lives in the state.
We thank all of you for your time and dedication to our communities.
Thanks to all the Volunteers!!
BISLAND AGENCY
Dynamite Youth Center Foundation, Inc.
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5803 Rt. 42 Fallsburg, NY 12733 (845) 434-3370
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1681 Forestburgh Road, Glen Spey, NY
15731
We are grateful for all that our First Responders do, they are heroes every day!
37625
A Very Big “Thank You” to the Mamakating First Aid Squad & the Wurtsboro Fire Co.
856-6180
26745
601 Stony Ford Road • Middletown, NY 10941 • 845-692-4444 • www.crvi.org
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911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017
F I R E D E PA R T M E N T S A N D T H E I R F I R E C H I E F S Info was current as of Jan. 23, 2017. The phone numbers are direct lines to the firehouses. In case of emergency, please dial 911. Beaverkill Valley FD 1524 Beaverkill Rd. Lew Beach, NY 12758 Mike Juron • 439-4199
Fallsburg FD 10 Railroad Plaza, PO Box 1075 South Fallsburg, NY 12779 Ricky Shaddock • 434-2008
Hortonville FD 100 Main St., PO Box 71 Hortonville, NY 12745 Pete Norton • 887-5177
Lake Huntington Fire Company 70 County Rd., PO Box 352 Lake Huntington, NY 12752 Jason Kraack • 932-8444
Bloomingburg Fire Company 117 Godfrey Rd. PO Box 1039 Bloomingburg, NY 12721 Charlie Griswold • 733-1000
Forestburgh Fire Company No. 1 2539 State Route 42, Forestburgh, NY 12777 Todd Petrowsky • 794-7899
Hurleyville FD 166 Main St., PO Box 357 Hurleyville, NY 12747 Alan Price • 434-4161
Lava Volunteer FD 7898 Route 52, PO Box 456 Narrowsburg, NY 12764 Lew Meckle • 252-3375
Callicoon FD 9305 Route 97 PO Box 806 Callicoon, NY 12723 Mark Murphy • 887-4233
Grahamsville FD 205 Main St., PO Box 331 Grahamsville, NY 12740 Ed McCarthy • 985-2260
Jeffersonville FD 4903 State Route 52, PO Box 10 Jeffersonville, NY 12748 Bill Strong • 482-4202
Liberty FD 256 Sprague Ave. Liberty, NY 12754 John Nichols • 295-0236
Callicoon Center FD 1669 Gulf Rd. PO Box 144 Callicoon Center, NY 12724 Gary Brocker • 482-3020
Hankins-Fremont Center FD 20 Newman Hill Rd., PO Box 164 Hankins, NY 12741 David Hirsch • 887-2028
Kauneonga Lake E&H/FD 3574 State Route 55, PO Box 411 Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749 Pete Maltese • 583-4700
Livingston Manor FD 43 Main St., PO Box 867 Livingston Manor, NY 12758 Danny Walcott • 439-4490
Claryville Fire Dept. 1500 Denning Rd., PO Box 146 Claryville, NY12725 Tom Matthews • 985-7270
Highland Lake FD 144 Highland Rd., PO Box 65 Highland Lake, NY 12743 Warren Wagner • 557-8788
Kenoza Lake FD 485 Old Taylor Rd., PO Box 51 Kenoza Lake, NY 12750 George Slater • 482-5676
Loch Sheldrake FD 1280 State Route 52, PO Box 1005 Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759 Mike Ward • 434-2710
Many thanks for all you do and your dedication.
To all our Fire & Emergency Personnel... “WE THANK YOU!”
Callicoon, NY 12723 (845) 887-4210
<
RIVOLI THEATRE,
Route 42, South Fallsburg
(845) 436-5336
“Thank You”
www.mikepreis.com
www.scdw.net
<
CLIFF GORDON 15626
<
Thank You to All our First Responders and to Our Emergency & Urgent Care Providers for your dedication to our Communities.
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Jeffersonville, NY 12748 (845) 482-5510 49066
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(845) 932-8111 • (845) 583-1015 • PA (570) 251-9990
911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017
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F I R E D E PA R T M E N T S A N D T H E I R F I R E C H I E F S Long Eddy FD 4 Church St., PO Box 73 Long Eddy, NY 12760 Aaron Polomcean • 887-5926
Neversink FD 7486 State Route 55, PO Box 627 Neversink, NY 12765 Ralph Hornbeck • 985-7198
Summitville Fire Company 3978 Route 209 Summitville, NY 12781 Craig Blakesly Sr. • 888-5531
Woodbourne FD 355 Firehouse RD., PO Box 45 Woodbourne, NY 12788 Anthony Triant • 434-6763
Lumberland FD 1088 County Route 31, PO Box 91 Glen Spey, NY 12737 Don Hunt Jr. • 856-2041
North Branch FD 20 North Branch-Callicoon Center Hwy., PO Box 28 North Branch, NY 12766 Dale Steffens • 482-5134
Swan Lake FD 52 Stanton Corners Rd., PO Box 177 Swan Lake, NY 12783 Tim Eronimous • 292-6918
Woodridge FD 2 Green St., PO Box 683 Woodridge, NY 12789 Eric Akerley • 434-6893
Westbrookville FD 39 Pine Kill Rd., PO Box 263 Westbrookville, NY, 12785 Bo Tunno • 754-8848
Wurtsboro FD 91 Sullivan St., PO Box 457 Wurtsboro, NY 12790 Dan Reily • 888-4611
White Lake Fire Company 1596 State Route 17B, PO Box 51 White Lake, NY 12786 Brendon Cunningham • 583-5170
Youngsville FD 1822 Shandelee Rd., PO Box 78 Youngsville, NY 12791 Rick Graham • 482-3600
White Sulphur Springs FD 3352 State Route 52, PO Box 86 White Sulphur Springs, NY 12787 John Picard Jr. • 292-5468
Yulan FD 216 Airport RD., PO Box 127 Yulan, NY 12792 Adam Norris • 557-8483
Mountaindale Fire Company 132 Main St., PO Box 49 Mountaindale, NY 12763 Andy Millman • 434-3425 Narrowsburg Fire Company 203 Bridge St., PO Box 184 Narrowsburg, NY 12764 David Casey • 252-3328
Rock Hill FD 61 Glen Wild Rd., PO Box 116 Rock Hill, NY 12775 Kris Gwiozdowski • 794-8961 Roscoe/Rockland FD 1964 Old Route 17, PO Box 401 Roscoe, NY 12776 Timothy Bowers • 607-498-4292 Smallwood/Mongaup Valley FD 181 Ballard RD., PO Box 28 Smallwood, NY 12778 Ozzie Gonzales • 583-5487
Thank you for your commitment to our communities.
Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home Inc. Exclusively Serving the Jewish Community Jewish Owned & Independently Operated
647-7747
794-7474
186 Canal St. 388 Broadway Ellenville Monticello www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com 27072
48567
Monticello FD 23 Richardson Avenue Monticello, NY 12701 Ray Stevens • 794-6330
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
CALENDAR OF EVENTS April
Kick-Off Party/Sign-up, Delaware Youth Center
Sat., Aug. 5 - Swan Lake FD spaghetti dinner Sun., Aug. 6 - Callicoon Center FD pancake break-
Sat., June 10 - Youngsville United Reformed
2 - Jeffersonville FD chicken barbecue (takeout only); Liberty FD #3 pancake breakfast; Woodbourne FD French toast breakfast; Lava FD pancake breakfast Sun., April 9 - Callicoon Center FD pancake breakfast; Claryville FD pancake breakfast Mon., April 10 - Lake Huntington FD pancake breakfast Tues., April 11 - SCVFA Meeting - White Lake Thurs., April 20 - S.C. Fire Police Assn. - Lava Sat., April 22 - Loch Sheldrake FD Annual Dinner Sun., April 23 - Hortonville FD chicken barbecue takeout Sat., April 29 - North Branch FD Roast Beef Dinner; Boy Scout Troop 106 chicken BBQ, Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church, 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sun., April 30 - Mountaindale FD Recruit NY open house
Church Chicken BBQ; Loch Sheldrake FD Flea Mkt., Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Sun., June 11 - Callicoon FD Pancake Breakfast; Callicoon Tractor Parade; Loch Sheldrake FD Flea Market, Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Tues., June 13 - SCVFA Annual Elections/Meeting, White Sulphur Springs Wed., June 14 - Flag Day Thurs., June 15 - S.C. Fire Police Assoc. - Claryville Sat., June 17 - Hurleyville/Loch Sheldrake FD Bass Fishing Contest, Morningside Park; North Branch FD chicken barbecue - takeout; Callicoon Center FD sportsmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s raffle Sun., June 18 - Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day; Claryville FD Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day pancake breakfast Wed., June 21 - Summer begins
July
Sat., May 6 - St. Francis Church Penny Social, Youngsville Firehouse
Sun., May 7 - SCVFA Memorial Service, Govt. Ctr., 2 p.m.
Tues., May 9 - SCVFA Executive meeting Sat., May 13 - Woodbourne FD May Dinner; Driver Safety Course, Delaware Comm. Ctr. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sun., May 14 - Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day; Woodridge FD Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Day pancake breakfast; Claryville FD Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day pancake breakfast; Hortonville FD Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day pancake breakfast Thurs., May 18 - S.C. Fire Police Assn. - North Branch Sat., May 20 - Loch Sheldrake FD gun raffle; Hurleyville FD Bill Carlson Golf, Tarry Brae Sun., May 21 - Narrowsburg, St. Paul Lutheran Church chicken barbecue Wed., May 24 - S.C. Fire District - Swan Lake Sun., May 28 - Beaverkill Valley FD chicken barbecue 2-4 p.m.; Mountaindale FD pancake breakfast Mon., May 29 - Memorial Day Tues., May 30 - VFW Long Eddy Cemetery Service 1 p.m., Lunch/Raffle Long Eddy Firehouse
Smallwood Lake; Smallwood FD Open House Tues., July 4 - Independence Day; Narrowsburg FD parade and chicken barbecue - takeout Sat., July 8 - Loch Sheldrake FD Flea Market, Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Sun., July 9 - Loch Sheldrake FD Flea Market, Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park; Woodbourne FD Car Show/Carnival Tues., July 11 - SCVFA Executive Meeting Fri., July 14 - St. Francis Church Bazaar, Youngsville Firehouse Sat., July 15 - St. Francis Church Bazaar, Youngsville Firehouse; Lake Huntington FD chicken barbecue Sun., July 16 - Claryville FD pancake breakfast; Jeffersonville FD pancake breakfast; Rock Hill FD French toast/waffle buffet breakfast Thurs., July 20 - S.C. Fire Police Assoc. - Kauneonga Lake Sat., July 22 - Kenoza Lake FD chicken BBQ; Kenoza Lake Methodist Church bake sale, 4 p.m.; Swan Lake FD golf outing Sun., July 23 - Callicoon 5K - 10K Race, River Road Wed., July 26 - S.C. Fire District Sat., July 29 - Callicoon Street Fair Sun., July 30 - Youngsville FD pancake breakfast
June Fri., Aug.
Sat., June 3 - Smallwood FD ATV Run; Summer
Thanks to all responders, your dedication is greatly appreciated!
Mel Olsen, Jr., Owner
MGAR-125742
15153
Service Center
County Rt. 121, North Branch, NY Melâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (845) 482-4963 (845) 701-5180
Thank you for your time & dedication to our communities!
Tires - New & Used â&#x20AC;˘ Brakes â&#x20AC;˘ Towing Exhaust â&#x20AC;˘ New York State Inspection
26861
Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Automotive
â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Machinery â&#x20AC;˘ Tractors â&#x20AC;˘ Cars â&#x20AC;˘ Trucks
Nick Olsen, Owner
Sat., Aug. 12 - White Sulphur Springs FD softball tournament; Loch Sheldrake FD flea market, Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Sun., Aug. 13 - White Sulphur Springs FD softball tournament/chicken BBQ; Loch Sheldrake FD flea market, Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Thurs., Aug. 17 - S.C. Fire Police Assoc. - Swan Lake. Sun., Aug. 20 - Claryville FD breakfast; Lava FD pancake breakfast; Woodridge FD 100th Year Anniversary Celebration Sat., Aug. 26 - Claryville FD Open House, Craft/Yard Sale; Hortonville FD Field Day/Parade, 84th annual Sun., Aug. 27 - North Branch FD pancake breakfast
September
74 Jefferson Street, Monticello, NY
845.794.3466
Specialized Standard & Automatic Transmission Service
chicken BBQ; Loch Sheldrake FD flea market, Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Sun., Sept. 10 - Yulan FD Blue Mass, St. Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; Woodbourne FD chicken BBQ; Loch Sheldrake FD flea market, Firemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Tues., Sept. 12 - SCVFA Executive Meeting Sat., Sept. 16 - Yulan FD Von Steuben Day Festival; Narrowsburg Lutheran Church brautwurst dinner Sun., Sept. 17 - Claryville FD breakfast; Rock Hill FD Annual Golf Outing Thurs., Sept. 21 - S.C. Fire Police - White Lake Fri., Sept. 22 - Autumn begins Sat., Sept. 23 - Driver Safety Course, Delaware Youth Ctr., 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sun., Sept. 24 - SCVFA Annual Brunch Awards/Installation Wed., Sept. 27 - S.C. Fire District - Lake Huntington
Eggler Automatic Inc. (845) 292-6805
custom homes, additions, renovations all phases of construction
Thurs., Dec. 21 - Winter begins Mon., Dec. 25 - Christmas Day Sun., Dec. 31 - New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve
HOMEOPATHIC HEALING Allen McMickle, AAPCH Homeopathic Consultant â&#x20AC;&#x153;Holistic Healing for All Conditions - Acute, Chronic & Sportsâ&#x20AC;?
845-434-0656 Cell 216-403-1169 27110
Thanks for being there!!
Jim Hoopkins Securitty Directtor o LIBERTY MALL
December
South Fallsburg, NY
E.E.A. Security Ser vice es LLC
15 Sullivan Ave, v Unit 9, Liberty, NY 845-292-0999
Lake FD French toast breakfast; Hurleyville FD pancake breakfast Tues., Nov. 7 - Election Day Thurs., Nov. 9 - S.C. Fire Police - Rock Hill Fri., Nov. 11 - Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day; VFW Long Eddy ceremony 11 a.m. lunch served; Mountaindale FD spaghetti dinner; Callicoon Center FD turkey/gun raffle Sun., Nov. 12 - Hortonville FD Pancake Breakfast Tues., Nov. 14 - SCVFA Executive meeting; Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church soup/chili sale Wed., Nov. 15 - S.C. Fire District Sun., Nov. 19 - Claryville FD breakfast Thurs., Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving Fri., Nov. 24 - Jeffersonville Holiday Parade; Callicoon Holiday Fair, Delaware Youth Center Sat., Nov. 25 - Claryville FD spaghetti supper; Kenoza Lake Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar; Callicoon Holiday Fair, Delaware Youth Center
Wurtsboro
- Patrick Mickelson
*LIW &HUWLÂżFDWHV
Sat., Nov. 4 - Woodbourne FD Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Parade Sun., Nov. 5 - Daylight Savings Time ends; Swan
Bazaar/Bake Sale
E Electr r ronic Fingerprinting & Backkground Checks C O U R S E S: Security Guard Train ning +DQGJXQ 6DIHW\ Â&#x2021; 'HIHQVLYH 'ULYLQJ $(' &35 )LUVW $LG Â&#x2021; 'UXJ 7HVWLQJ
White Sulphur Springs, NY
November
Wed., Dec. 13 - Hannukah; SCVFA meeting -
R A Mickelson & Son LLC Quality work to last a Lifetime
Youngsville Firecrackers craft fair, Youngsville Firehouse Sun., Oct. 15 - Callicoon Center FD chicken barbecue; Claryville FD breakfast Thurs., Oct. 19 - S.C. Fire Police - Smallwood Sat., Oct. 21 - Jeffersonville FD roast beef dinner Sun., Oct. 22 - Lake Huntington FD French toast breakfast; Loch Sheldrake FD pancake breakfast Sun., Oct. 29 - Youngsville FD 89th Annual Roast Beef Dinner Tues., Oct. 31 - Halloween; Hurleyville FD Halloween Parade, 6 p.m., firehouse
Sat., Dec. 2 - Youngsville United Reformed Church
October
49128
38222
EGGL-120612
Landscaping â&#x20AC;˘ Snowplowing
Sun., Sept. 3 - Smallwood FD pancake breakfast Mon., Sept. 4 - Labor Day Sat., Sept. 9 - Youngsville United Reformed Church
est. 1972 (845) 434-5176 home www.ramickelsonandson.com (845) 807-8363 cell
James J. Sheerer
T-N-T Tuleweit Livingston Manor 845-439-4960
Tournament
Wurtsboro, hosted by Bloomingburg/ Summitville/ Wurtsboro FDs; Youngsville St. Francis Church penny social at Youngsville Firehouse
4 - Jeffersonville FD Old Time Fiddlers;
Catholic Daughters Penny Social, Liberty Firehouse
MELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GARAGE
Sat., Oct. 14 - Kenoza Lake FD roast beef dinner;
Sun., Oct. 1 - Liberty FD #3 pancake breakfast Sat., Oct. 7 - SCVFA 89th Annual Parade -
August
Mon., Oct. 9 - Columbus Day Tues., Oct. 10 - SCVFA Meeting - Poster Contest, Woodridge
Sun., July 2 - Smallwood FD Annual 5K around
May
NICKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BODY & FABRICATION
fast
Tues., Aug. 8 - SCVFA Meeting - Woodbourne Fri., Aug. 11 - White Sulphur Springs FD Softball
38070
Sun., April
MARCH, 2017
SUNRISE PARK OF WOODBOURNE, INC. -Mobile Home Sites AvailableJ.I. MENTNECH, INC. General Contractor - Bulldozer â&#x20AC;˘ Backhoe 845-434-7568
15151
911
49094
26E
911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2017
27E
A front-line view to the overdose epidemic ... and it ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pretty
Our heartfelt thanks to all 911 responders!
37451
Complete Auto Repair Fred Franke & John Hynes, owners 36 State Rt 52, Woodbourne, NY 845-436-8689 Check Out our LOW Tire PRICES! Discover, Mastercard & VISA Accepted
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Thanks to Our Emergency Service Providers!â&#x20AC;?
Route 209N, Wawarsing, NY 12489
845-292-7620
AMERICAN SPORTSMAN FIREARMS, LLC # LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER #
Thank you to all our dedicated responders!
BUY # SELL # TRADE
Patrick Rotondo Sole Member
48744
John S. Lichtenstein, M.D.
ALLI-009527
48566
Barriger & Company, Inc.
June 22, 1949 - December 30, 2001 $ GHGLFDWHG ÂżUHÂżJKWHU IDWKHU DQG IULHQG
DELAWARE VALLEY OIL, INC.
Daily Specials Available
26873
Hours By Appointment (845) 626-5500 Fax: (845) 626-5707 15813
Family Practice Pediatrics Acupuncture Alcohol-Drug Abuse Consultant
Exit 105B, 4445 Rte. 42 North Monticello, NY 12701 845-796-2210
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
ers and emergency responders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a high cost to provide advanced life support to those in need,â&#x20AC;? he acknowledges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re mandated responders. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pick and choose.â&#x20AC;? Insurance companies donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always have sufficient reimbursement rates, and patients canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily make up the difference. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hit volunteer corps particularly hard. Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the darkest worry, one that dogs even longtime paramedics like Saunders and Bockman. With Narcan commonly available, addicts sometimes feel they can â&#x20AC;&#x153;safelyâ&#x20AC;? overdose, as friends and family â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or ultimately emergency responders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will have the antidote on hand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We go to a scene sometimes and people say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We gave him Narcan, and he needs more,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Saunders explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are we becoming enablers,â&#x20AC;? Bockman asks, â&#x20AC;&#x153;or are we truly helping the addict?â&#x20AC;?
In Memory of Jerry Lester 48634
East End Auto Repair
absorbed through the skin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must be very cautious, because we can be affected,â&#x20AC;? he says. These days, MobileMedic ensures police are on scene ahead of them if drugs are suspected to be involved, as overdoses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and treatment for them â&#x20AC;&#x201C; can provoke violent reactions. Yet once paramedics get the addict to a hospital, he/she might simply be monitored for a while, then released. MobileMedicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crew encourage addicts to get help, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an obviously challenging request to make. Bockman insists the best place to start is with non-addicts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; educating elementary-grade children who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet discovered the dangerous allure of opioids. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too late when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in high school,â&#x20AC;? he says. Bockman is part of an opioid awareness effort now ongoing in the county, as the human cost is accompanied by an economic toll on healthcare work-
845-798-0365
141 Fairweather Rd., Swan Lake, NY 12783
Now llin g hunting se & fis licenses hing
americansportsmanfirearmsllc@gmail.com
Family Owned and Operated Â&#x2021; www.dvoil.com 570-224-4141 845-887-6090 877-887-6090
48314
Thank You for Your Dedication!
N
YOUNGSVILLE GARAGE, INC.
â&#x20AC;˘ 24-Hour Local & Long Distance Wheel Lift & Flatbed Towing Complete Automotive Service â&#x20AC;˘ Foreign & Domestic Since 1925 â&#x20AC;˘ Computerized Big Thanks Diagnostics to All Our Responders! â&#x20AC;˘ Computerized Wheel Alignments 845-482-5151 â&#x20AC;˘ NYS Inspections Route 52, Youngsville, NY
38029
early three decades in to his career as a paramedic, Walter Saunders doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get rattled by overdose calls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly attending to a lot more than ever before. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bad out there. ... In the last two months, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s increased tenfold,â&#x20AC;? he relates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almost once a day [at one point], we were going to overdose calls.â&#x20AC;? As director of operations for MobileMedic, Saunders oversees activity across Sullivan County, often responding with team members personally. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always know the situation ahead of time, but the signs of an opioid overdose are clear when they arrive: slow respiration rate, blue skin, constricted pupils, disorientation or delirium, unconsciousness in more intense cases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just lifeless,â&#x20AC;? he says. That is, until Narcan is administered. Generically known as naloxone, it essentially reverses an overdose. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Within seconds, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start breathing,â&#x20AC;? Saunders affirms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll sit up and ask why youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here and deny doing any drugs.â&#x20AC;? Though they may be lucid, the typical overdoser is an addict and thus not necessarily appreciative of paramedicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; efforts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be counseled,â&#x20AC;? Saunders relates, noting that his teams have had to return as much as three times in a day to treat overdoses
in the same person. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Or you might be back and find them dead.â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too often the somber task of his boss, MobileMedic owner Albee Bockman, who also serves as a county coroner tasked with determining the manner of death. â&#x20AC;&#x153;MobileMedic answered 22 overdose calls in January, and 15 in February,â&#x20AC;? Bockman recalls, â&#x20AC;&#x153;four of which resulted in death.â&#x20AC;? Two were by pills, two by heroin injection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all over [the county],â&#x20AC;? Bockman says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;though primarily in the populous areas.â&#x20AC;? Overdoses are linked in the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind to illegal drugs, but sometimes they result from legal prescriptions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Four out of five people who are addicted to heroin started with pills,â&#x20AC;? he notes. And not all are teens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bockman has seen plenty of calls involving people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. In fact, overdose calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;are the highest itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever been in my lifetime as a paramedic,â&#x20AC;? he confirms of a career going back to 1989. Why? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unemployment, depression, family breakup,â&#x20AC;? he lists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being mixed with fentanyl, which is 10 times stronger than heroin.â&#x20AC;? Mix heroin with carfentanyl â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is 100 times more powerful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and not even Narcan may work. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most frightening part,â&#x20AC;? Bockman says â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not knowing what an overdose patient has taken. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also scary for responders, since fentanyl and carfentanyl can be
BY DAN HUST
28E
911
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
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