News & Announcements

Have you ever wondered what actions your department should undertake in response to changes in the Federal Homeland Security Threat Conditions? In January 2004, FEMA published a Guide for Fire and EMS Services on actions suggested in response to each condition level of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). The entire guide is available for download by clicking here.

The American Heart Association in January presented Saratoga County EMS Council with a Community Training Center award in recognition of outstanding performance, leadership, and professionalism in advancing the mission of the American Heart Association (AHA) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Council Chairperson Kathy Barton accepted the award with Frank Smith, who leads Council Instructors in number of students and classes taught. Frank, in case you don’t remember, was recognized as EMS Instructor of the year by REMO last September, largely due to his efforts in Saratoga County. Frank’s community training record is closely followed by fellow instructors Jack Peroha and Andy Olmsted. Kathy Barton is the administrator of the first aid and CPR training programs run by the Council. Congratulations to all of our Instructors for a job well done!

SEMO notified Saratoga County that they will be conducting an ICS Basic (I-200) course in Kingston on December 4th and 5th. There is no fee for the course. Lodging and transportation are the responsibility of the participant. Details are available on the SEMO website (click here). Registration can be done on line as well at www.nysemo.state.ny.us/Training.

Jeff Reisner of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department was recognized as Communications Specialist of the year (see photo below) and Frank Smith of Northside Fire and Saratoga County’s EMS Training Staff was recognized as EMS Instructor of the year. The awards were presented at a special ceremony on September 22, 2003 at REMO, a coordinating body serving the six county region of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga. Congratulations to these Saratoga County EMS providers of excellence for being singled out for recognition in a regional area serving 860,000 people!

Joseph M. Mushinski Jr., 46, friend, colleague, and brother paramedic, died Tuesday, August 12th in Pennsylvania. Joe previously worked at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Ambulance, Malta Ambulance, and SEMS. He will be missed by his many friends in Saratoga County.