---
title: "Issue 3: Why We Bought a Fly Car — SBAS Newsletter"
url: https://southernberkshireambulance.com/newsletters/issue-3
description: "Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad Newsletter Issue 3, October 2025: the paramedic fly car, ALS intercept, Ken Schumacher, Camp Hi-Rock, and more."
---

Newsletter — Issue 3 

# Why We Bought a Fly Car

October 2025 

## The Importance of Intercept

![Southern Berkshire Ambulance joins New Marlborough first responders on an intercept call](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/_astro/intercept.BSyEdlBD_1zWlHK.webp) 

Southern Berkshire Ambulance joins New Marlborough's first responders on an intercept call.

Several of the towns we serve have basic life support ambulance services. When a patient needs advanced care, those services call us for an ALS intercept — our paramedic meets the ambulance en route and provides advanced treatment. This regional approach ensures more communities have access to paramedic care than would otherwise be possible.

## Why We Bought a Fly Car

![Our new fly car Ford Explorer](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/_astro/fly-car.CKKhPbLO_1crHM.webp) 

Our new fly car is a Ford Explorer with added lights, radios, and equipment.

You may have noticed a new vehicle in our fleet — a paramedic fly car. This rapid-response vehicle staffed by a single paramedic can intercept basic life support ambulances en route to the hospital, providing advanced care without tying up one of our full ALS ambulances. When a second or third call comes in while our ambulances are already committed, the fly car responds immediately.

## Congratulations Ken Schumacher!

![SBA Board member Ken Schumacher with his family](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/_astro/kenandfamily.eK0tTksK_2wtJJe.webp) 

SBA Board member Ken Schumacher (second from right) with his family.

We congratulate Board member Ken Schumacher on a significant personal milestone. Ken has been a valued member of our board and a strong advocate for the squad. We are grateful for his service.

## Working with Local Camps: Southern Berkshire Gives Back

![AED presentation to Camp Hi-Rock](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/_astro/camp-hi-rock-edge.C4vqTaB7_Z2sFOEb.webp) 

Board member John Halbreich and COO Kevin Wall at the Camp Hi-Rock AED presentation.

Our partnership with local camps continues. AEDs placed at summer camps give hundreds of young people and staff an added layer of protection throughout the season.

## Remembering Lou Oggiani

![Lou Oggiani](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/_astro/lou.uFP_r488_RUtAH.webp) 

Lou Oggiani served on the Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad board for many years.

We continue to honor the memory of Lou Oggiani, who passed away this fall. Lou’s decades of service to this organization and this community will not be forgotten.

Support our mission 

## You can make a difference.

Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We rely on community donations to keep our ambulances on the road and our crews ready. Every gift makes a difference.

[Donate now](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/donate) [Our donors](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/donors) 

![Great Barrington's First Congregational Church makes a donation to Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad](https://southernberkshireambulance.com/_astro/first.D02pd2TI_uhjLp.webp)