250 Calls, Two Fundraisers,
and a Community That Showed Up

President’s Letter: 250 Calls, Two Fundraisers, and a Community That Showed Up

Our Thursday crews enjoy a warm spring day. Finally!

Well, it’s been a month and we’ve been busy. Call volume was up, with approximately 250 calls. Thanks to our team for keeping South County safe!

Management has been focused on our annual assessments. We’ve had a chance to talk with leaders from all six towns and appreciate the discussions. It is a tough budget season all around, but we know we will find common ground as we have for nearly six decades.

We’ve been serving South County for nearly 58 years, 45 of which as a volunteer service. I was one of the volunteers, for 35 years!

We had two great fundraising events this past month. Thanks so much to Great Barrington Interim Police Chief Adam Carlotto for organizing a bowling fundraiser at the Cove, and to George and Caitlin Manley for hosting a reception and fundraiser in our honor at Taggart House in Stockbridge. Together, over 200 folks showed up at these events to support the squad.

These fundraising events are part of our effort to raise the $1.1 million needed for two replacement ambulances as we cycle our “old gray mares” out of operation.

Municipal budgets are under pressure this year. In light of that, we are particularly thankful to the Stockbridge Select Board. We asked for their help and they obliged, adding a $50,000 request to their warrant. We are grateful for their support.

We hope to see you at annual town meetings this spring, starting May 2 in Great Barrington. Your voice at town meeting — and your vote on the warrant article — makes a real difference.

— Jim Santos, 50-Year Volunteer & President

A New Paramedic and a New Website

One of our paramedics with our new advanced paramedic fly car, which we use to meet municipal basic ambulances on route to the hospital.

We’re pleased to welcome a new paramedic to our team. He joins a growing roster of career EMS professionals keeping South County covered around the clock.

We’re also pleased to announce our new website, completely redesigned and now live at southernberkshireambulance.com. We added donor recognition pages for 2024, 2025, and 2026. If you’ve donated, look for your name — and thank you. If we overlooked you, please let our CFO Patrick White know. And if you’d prefer not to be listed, we will remove your name as soon as you let us know.

We also created pages for each of the monthly newsletters we’ve produced over the past year. If you missed any, they are now online at our website or on The Berkshire Edge.

Spring Is Beautiful — But It Comes with Risks

A bear cub climbs a tree near Tanglewood. Mother bears with cubs nearby are among the most dangerous wildlife encounters in the Northeast.

Warmer days mean more time outdoors, and in the Berkshires, spring brings some specific hazards worth knowing about.

Ticks: Small Bugs, Big Consequences

Tick season is starting earlier every year. The black-legged tick is the primary carrier of Lyme disease. If you find an attached tick, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers and call your doctor. Wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, use repellents, and do a full-body check when you come inside.

Bears: Respect the Space

Black bears are emerging from dens now, hungry and on the move. A mother bear with cubs is among the most dangerous encounters in the Northeast. If you encounter a bear, do not run. Back away slowly and give it a clear escape route.

Animal Bites and Rabies

Any bite from a wild animal requires prompt medical attention. Rabies is preventable with post-exposure treatment if you act quickly. Wash the wound with soap and water for five minutes and seek emergent care that same day.

• Morel hunters and hikers: Watch for poison ivy returning along trail edges.
• Water crossings: Snowmelt makes streams faster and colder than they look. Treat any crossing with serious caution.

Spring is one of the best seasons in New England. A little awareness goes a long way.

Fundraiser Photos

We had a wonderful time at our two fundraisers — at Cove Bowling Lanes and at Taggart House in Stockbridge. Over 200 supporters turned out across both events. Thank you all.

Cove Bowling Lanes

Thanks to Adam Carlotto and crew!

Taggart House, Stockbridge

Board member Ken Schumacher talks with longtime friend and Stockbridge resident Mary Hart.

Board member John Halbreich talks with Jake, one of our EMTs.

CFO Patrick White enjoys a moment with host Caitlin Manley right before the party started.

Evening light at Mission House, across the street from Taggart House.

Food starts to arrive on the buffet table at Taggart House.

Host George Manley (left) posing with crew members.

Jordan Weller and the Feathers played a truly perfect set.

Great crowd!

A Note of Thanks

South County showed up for us this month in a big way. The two fundraising events, the Stockbridge Select Board’s warrant article, the donors who have contributed to our ambulance campaign — all of it reflects a community that understands what it means to have a professional, fully staffed paramedic service available around the clock.

We don’t take that for granted. Thank you.