Caption: Tom Flack (Petersburgh), Ashton Evans (student), Jaelyn Goodermote (student), Mr. Jim Goyer (Grafton), Ms. Sandra Honsinger (teacher), Mr. Rik McClave (Stephentown), Camren Hoffman (student), Mr. Jay Wilson (Rensselaer County Director of Public Safety), Izabella Montanez (student), Mr. David Corlew (Stephentown), Ms. Tammy Whitman (Stephentown), Mr. Stanley Pettibone (Berlin), Mr. Mark Murray (Petersburgh), and Mr. Cyril Grant (Stephentown) (missing from photo Alex Smith)
“The younger generation is the future of the Fire and EMS Service, and without classes like Responding to Emergencies, putting an interest out there, the numbers would continue to dwindle,” said Stephentown Fire Chief David Corlew.
In 2019 Berlin Middle High School Health and Physical Education teacher Ms. Sandra Honsinger piloted an elective course at BMHS called Responding to Emergencies.
“We need more community members who are First Aid, CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) certified.” said Ms. Honsinger back in 2019.
“I wanted to marry the interests and create relationships between the students and the emergency responding volunteers in our community.
This year Ms. Honsinger did just that. Over the last couple of months her Responding to Emergencies students worked hard on planning a special informational meeting.
Responding to Emergencies’ students: Ashton Evans, Camren Hoffman, Izabella Montanez, Jaelyn Goodermote and Alex Smith invited local fire department volunteers to talk to interested BMHS students about what volunteering means to them and their community. They discussed what inspired them to become part of their Fire Departments, the time commitment it takes to volunteer and how to get started.
The nine local volunteers ranged from emergency coordinators, support staff, firefighters, EMS, and Rensselaer County’s Director of Public Safety. The guests included BCSD’s own Mr. Cyril Grant (Stephentown) and Ms. Tammy Whitman (Stephentown), Mr. Stanley Pettibone (Berlin), Mr. Jim Goyer (Grafton), Mr. David Corlew (Stephentown), Mr. Mark Murray (Petersburgh), Mr. Rik McClave (Stephentown), Tom Flack (Petersburgh), Mr. Jay Wilson (Rensselaer County Director of Public Safety)
“The future of our departments is in the hands of young people who wish to become part of our world,” said Mr. McClave.
When speaking about Ms.Honsinger and the Responding to Emergencies class, Mr. McClave said: “Your efforts on our behalf, with the creation of the First Responder high school course, can only benefit students and departments now and in the future.”
Mr. Grant agreed, adding, “This program will not only benefit the students but also help community Fire and EMS organizations who are desperately in need of new younger members.”
Ms. Honsinger’s motivation for launching the elective two school years ago was to boost interest in emergency response volunteers and bringing real life experiences to the school as a way to inspire future volunteers. The informational meeting seemed to help with stimulating interest as Ms. Honsinger handed out volunteer sign-up forms to several students.
“This is the kind of ‘out of the box’ approach we need to reach those interested in volunteering,” said Mr. Wilson. “These efforts are to be commended, and we all appreciate it very much.”
“It was a wonderful opportunity for students to meet and greet members of our fire departments and EMS and see such selfless, dedicated and positive role models from their community,” said Ms. Hosinger.
Each Responding to Emergencies course includes American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED training as well as three hours of community service. Students must be at least 16 years old to enroll in the course and to receive an American Red Cross certification by the end of the half-year elective.
Those who are interested in information about volunteering in Rensselaer County can contact a volunteer at their local firehouse or EMT station or email volunteer@rensco.com.
If you are interested in viewing the Responding to Emergencies’ Informational Meeting please find the video below.