Thousand Island Emergency Rescue Service (TIERS)

10/16/2026

Boy, that sure is pretty! Congratulations to our neighbors at Town of Clayton Fire Department on the upcoming delivery of your new tanker! 🚒

10/04/2026

Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service (TIERS) is looking for a Full-Time Paramedic to join our team!

We welcome both internal and external applicants who are passionate about providing high-quality emergency medical care to the communities we serve.

Click the link below to view the full job posting and learn more about this opportunity. Resumes and cover letters may be submitted to [email protected].

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P9_HYY1OdoFiDorBK-Fp8PpOHVvrF8Sf/view?usp=drive_link

10/03/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Colello. Mike and his family have been great supporters of TIERS for many years. He was known for being a fantastic business man, and a great leader who cared deeply for those who worked for him. He passed those values on to his children, specifically his son Joe who serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. Those Colello values continue to guide TIERS, and we are appreciative for it.

Our condolences are with Blanche, Mike, Pete, Joe, and the entire Colello family at this difficult time.

Michael A. Colello, 90, passed away Sept. 30, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his family.

The calling hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 4, at T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton. The Funeral will be held at 11a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clayton, followed by burial at Grove Cemetery in LaFargeville.

Mike was born to Italian immigrants, Angelo D and Margaret (Ginnetti) on Aug. 1, 1936, in Lackawanna, New York. He grew up poor yet proud of his heritage. He loved teaching his children and grandchildren Italian vocabulary words and showing them the true meaning of “la famiglia”. He was a devout Catholic, and his faith carried him through many obstacles.

Mike was a born entrepreneur. As a young boy he carried newspapers for the Buffalo Daily News, delivered chickens and worked at a clam shack to help support his family. After graduating from Lackawanna High School, Mike worked at Bethlehem Steel. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1956 and served on the John R. Pierce. He saw the world through his Navy commitment and was Honorably Discharged.

On April 30, 1960, he married the former Blanche Gailey, the “sunshine” of his life at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clayton. They were married for 66 loving years.

Mike was given the opportunity to own and operate F.K. Gailey Co. Inc. in LaFargeville. His business savvy helped him grow the business. His entrepreneurial nature led him to purchase Frontenac Crystal Springs Water, which is still a Colello business today. Mike was involved in various business endeavors along the way including the L.A.Golf course. He was the Board President of Redwood National Bank as well as a member of the E. J. Noble Hospital Board.

Mike was a long-time member of the Wednesday Night Men’s Twilight Golf League and a proud member of the Clayton and LaFargeville Lions Club, where he held many positions including past President.

Regardless of where he was, Mike always had a harmonica handy. There were many occasions that concluded with his rendition of “You are my Sunshine”.

Surviving is his wife, Blanche; three sons, Michael (Audrey) of Watertown, Peter of Clayton and Joseph of Alexandria Bay; two daughters, Susan (Tim) of Clayton and MargaretMary (Scott) Clement of Watertown; sixteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, two half-brothers and two granddaughters.

Donations can be made in his name to T.I.E.R.S., P.O. Box 524, Clayton, N.Y. 13624.

09/27/2026

𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service (TIERS) is excited to announce the selection of Patrick O’Connell as our new Director of Operations.

Pat brings extensive experience in EMS, leadership, and field operations, and we are excited to have him join our leadership team. His experience and perspective will be a valuable addition as TIERS continues to grow and strengthen the emergency medical services we provide to the communities we serve.

In addition to his work in EMS, Pat is a co-founder of the Priority Wellness Campaign, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of first responders and their families throughout Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. His commitment to the first responder community extends well beyond the ambulance, and we are proud to have someone with that passion joining our organization.

As Director of Operations, Pat will play an important role in helping TIERS continue to provide reliable, high-quality emergency medical services throughout the communities we serve. Pat will officially join the TIERS team on Monday, October 12.

Please join us in congratulating Pat and welcoming him to the TIERS family!

09/24/2026

A HUGE thank you to Reinman’s Department Store for their incredibly generous donation of a new La-Z-Boy loveseat to our ambulance station!

Reinman’s donated the original furniture to our new station 10 years ago, and let’s just say… that’s a very long time for furniture to survive life in an ambulance station! Between long shifts, quick naps, meals, paperwork, and plenty of movies, that couch definitely earned its retirement.

We are so grateful that Reinman’s continues to support us and so many organizations throughout our community. Their generosity over the years means more than we can say.

Thank you, Reinman’s, for keeping our crew comfortable between calls. Stop in and see them at 435 Riverside Dr., Clayton, or visit reinman’s.com

09/11/2026

It’s still not too late to enroll in the EMT class being taught right here in Clayton. If you’re interested in becoming an EMT to help support your local community. If you have any questions please reach out to the contact information on the posters.

09/10/2026

It was a busy day at TIERS! Three of our five calls today came in within a 30 minute span this evening. Our on duty crew responded to the initial call, and our dedicated off duty staff came in on a moments notice to handle the others. 🚨

After the calls, “Betty Boop (Ambulance 2)” and “Kirby (Ambulance 3)” were both a bit thirsty! ⛽️

That’s right! All of our vehicles have names! If you had to name an ambulance, what would you name it? Put your answer in the comments! Who knows, it might be the name of our next rig!

Ps: Paramedic Students make good gas station attendants!

📸 Credit: Daniel Lowe

08/30/2026

At TIERS, we’re not just coworkers, we’re a family (a bit of a dysfunctional one for sure, but whose isn’t?🤣)!❤️

We’re especially excited for TIERS members Earl and Haily, who will be welcoming their baby girl in the coming weeks! 🩷👶

You may know Haily as our CPR Coordinator. She has taught many of our CPR classes and has helped countless members of our community learn the skills needed to save a life. Today, we had the chance to celebrate her and Earl as they prepare for their newest adventure.

Our TIERS family put together a small baby shower this afternoon, filled with plenty of love, laughter, and well wishes for the growing family.

Congratulations, Earl and Haily! We can’t wait to meet your little one! 🎀🍼

08/28/2026

Please join us in congratulating Registered Nurse Mary Peters on her retirement after 40 years of service and dedication to the community!

After starting her career in pediatrics, Mary has been a constant in the chaos of the Samaritan Medical Center Emergency Room for the last 30 years, most recently leading her team as ED Charge Nurse. Today, she is working her final shift.

Our crews at TIERS have transferred thousands of patients to her over the years, and she has been an incredible partner to the entire EMS community. Her dedication, professionalism, compassion, and friendship have made a lasting impression on all of us!

Congratulations on your retirement, Mary! We wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter.