Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Jason Bak Completes Precepting Phase

Jason Bak - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.MANCHESTER – As of May 15, 2013, ASM’s Jason Bak has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Jason’s preceptors were Paramedics Mike Panciera and Don Hart. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at ASM, Jason’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Jason and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Jason started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in December of 2007, has a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of New Haven and graduated from Goodwin College/Hartford Hospital Paramedic Program. 

On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Jason the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Schedule of EMS Week 2013 Events and Activities

EMS Week 2013 - Aetna Ambulance Ambulance Service of ManchesterEMS Week 2013

Sunday, May 19th 

  • 0700: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Fresh fruit available.
  • 1500: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Fresh fruit available.
  • 2300: Hartford Hospital EMS Room: Fresh fruit available.
Monday, May 20th
  • 0900-1400: Hartford Hospital (Conklin Building) EMS Update, Lunch to be served.
Tuesday, May 21st
  • 0700-0900: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Breakfast.
  • 1130-1330: Burrito BBQ Lunch, Saint Francis Hospital, Emergency Department.
Wednesday, May 22nd
  • 1200-1400: Hartford Hospital (outside of Conklin Building) Annual Cookout.
  • 1730-1900: Hartford Hospital (outside of Conklin Building) Annual Cookout.
Thursday, May 23rd
  • 0700-0900: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, breakfast.
  • 1700-1900: Burrito BBQ Dinner, Saint Francis Hospital, Emergency Department.
  • 1730: Saint Francis Hospital EMS Champion Awards Ceremony, Emergency Department, ambulance bay area.
  • 1800: Johnson Memorial Medical Center BBQ & CME: Two CME hours for “EMS Responding to IEDs” lecture that follows BBQ at CMEC Ampitheatre (the building on the right as you enter the main hospital driveway).
Friday, May 24th
  • 0700: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Baked Goods from ED staff.
  • 1500: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Baked Goods from ED staff.
  • 2300: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Baked Goods from ED staff.
Saturday, May 25th
  • 0700: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Fresh Fruit available
  • 1500: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Fresh Fruit available
  • 2300: Hartford Hospital EMS Room, Fresh Fruit available

If your organization, facility or agency is having an EMS Week event in the greater Hartford area and you do not see it listed here, please fill out the contact form, post it as a comment or email it to us at DavidS [at] asm-aetna.com.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1”: Volume 4

Renovation PlanMANCHESTER — The renovation of space once occupied by Marcus Communications continues. The direction of water flow through the building has been changed. A system of trenches had been dug for that purpose are close to being filled and sealed.

The album shows before and after photos and framing of the space is well underway. The next steps are to complete framing and start to hang walls.

The overall plan is to have the main entrance be on the south side of the building with a main hallway through the center down to the main vehicle bay. The renovated space will include additional training and simulation areas, a relocated locker area, new offices, a medical supply staging area, and two new restrooms although the plans remain fluid.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Gregory Kendall Completes Precepting Phase

Greg Kendall - Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.

(L to R): Greg Kendall and Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera

HARTFORD – As of May 13, 2013, Aetna’s Greg Kendall has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

Greg’s preceptor was Matthew Campbell. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Greg’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera after shadowing he and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Greg Kendall is 26 years old and grew up in the Bridgeport area of Connecticut. During high school and college he worked as an auto mechanic and earned an Associate’s in Science from Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT. He started volunteering in EMS in the Bridgeport area about 4-5 years ago and decided to make EMS a career. He enrolled in Hartford Hospital/Goodwin College’s Paramedic Program and was hired at Aetna.

On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Greg the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 7

Aetna Ambulance - Ambulance Service of ManchesterMANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.

The final question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”

Some of the answers/responses included:

  • Professional  x 10
  • Excellent x 6
  • Great x 5
  • Efficient x 4
  • Competent x 3
  • Helpful x 2
  • Good x 2
  • Friendly x 2
  • Efficient, very professional.
  • Concerned.
  • Did their job perfectly.
  • Highly skilled professionals.
  • Very dependable.
  • Very Good.
  • Compassionate.
  • Excellent service.
  • Excellent staff.
  • Very good service.
  • Knowledgeable.
  • Pleased with service.
  • The two gentlemen were the very best. Thank you.
  • The staff that attended to my father’s needs were excellent. Very caring and attentive individuals.
  • Excellent service. Impressed with professional and kind service. Ryan McConville helped handle the paperwork for the hospital. He was very helpful during this stressful time.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Tim LaChappelle Completes Precepting Phase

Tim LaChapelle - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.MANCHESTER – As of May 6, 2013, ASM’s Tim LaChappelle has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Tim’s preceptors were Supervisor-Paramedics Beth Sheils and Scott Thompson. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at ASM, Tim’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Tim and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Tim started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2006 and graduated from Capital Community College’s Paramedic Program. Tim is currently the Assistant Chief of Coventry Volunteer Fire Association, Inc in his hometown. 

On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Tim the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

ASM Supports Celebrate Life Hospice Remembrance Walk

Home and Community Hospice Remembrance Walk - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.

(L to R): ASM’s Nick Raiola and Justin McAuliffe at a standby for Home and Community’s Remembrance Walk

ENFIELD — On May 5, 2013 ASM was on hand to provide standby services to Home and Community Health Service’s George Guyer Memorial Hospice Remembrance Walk at the Asnuntuck Community College Track. Home and Community are a division of Johnson Memorial Medical Center.

The walk raised funds for hospice-related equipment and services such as hospital beds and home health aides for personal care.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1”: Volume 3

Renovation Pictures April AMANCHESTER — Preparation for the renovation of space once occupied by Marcus Communications continues. Currently the construction crew is  leveling, re-filling and sealing trenches that were dug to reroute the septic drainage system.

The next steps are to complete remediation of the new space, complete closure of the trench system, test the operational drainage system and complete remaining demo in the first phase space.

The overall plan is to have the main entrance be on the south side of the building with a main hallway through the center down to the main vehicle bay. The renovated space will include additional training and simulation areas, a relocated locker area, new offices, a medical supply staging area, and two new restrooms although the plans remain fluid.