Praise for ASM’s Stacy DeBarge

Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC. - Stacy DeBarge

ASM’s Stacy DeBarge

I would like to bring to your attention the actions of [Manchester Fire Rescue EMS Firefighter Paramedic] and ASM EMT Stacy DeBarge of Unit 510.

On 1/XX/2014 Engine X responded to XX Lane for a Medical Alarm. The Incident turned out to be a lift assist only. The patient was an elderly women who had fallen out of bed and had been on the floor most of the night.

After determining the patient was not injured she was assisted into a chair. Patient has a home health aide on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s. As this was a Tuesday morning the patient would not have assistance during the day. When learning of this [MFRE Firefighter Paramedic] and Stacy assisted the patient upstairs to get dry clothes as she was wet and had soiled herself. Stacy assisted by [MFRE Firefighter Paramedic] helped the patient shower and get into dry clothes. Patient was assisted back downstairs and into her chair. Arrangements were made for the patients niece to check on her later.

Calling this incident a lift assist only barely scratches the surface as to the above and beyond care that was provided by [MFRE Firefighter Paramedic] and Stacy, who were assisted by John Bonneau, ASM EMT, and [MFRE Firefighter].

I would also like to note that ASM had been dismissed and choose to stay and help.

Thought you would like to know.

[MFRE Lieutenant]

Praise from LifeChoice Donor Services

LifeChoice Donor Services and Aetna Ambulance are partnersWe recently had an organ donor at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. The lung team was going to fly into a Massachusetts airport, so we had to book with an MA ambulance. At the last minute they changed their destination to Bradley, they were on the ground before we knew it! Aetna came through – as always, and quickly had an ambulance meet the team and bring them to BMC. In the world of organ donation timing is everything. Thanks for all the hard work!

-Tania A. Houle, MBA, CPTC

In-House Clinical Donation Coordinator

LifeChoice Donor Services

Words That Describe Us: Volume 19

Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.MANCHESTER 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:

  • Terrific.
  • Professional. The arriving EMTs were compassionate, concerned, efficient, personable and very professional (13-104014; A. Harkins, M. Carter).
  • I was unconscious but according to my daughter they provided excellent service.
  • Recently I was taken to the hospital by Aetna Ambulance. The two attendants Jeff D’Albero and Nicole Schiefferstein were excellent in their rolls as paramedic and EMT respectfully. Both were respectful and courteous and very concerned about my health. You should be proud of the fine work these two individuals do for Aetna Ambulance.
  • Professional. If I remember correctly, [the crew] was comforting and would ride with them again on any emergency I had. (13-92339; D. Noyes, K. Shapiro).
  • Good, professional services.
  • Perfectly timed execution for me, in that condition.
  • No problems.
  • Excellent service.
  • Professional x 5.
  • Timely and kind
  • Very helpful and caring.
  • Thorough.
  • Excellent.
  • Thank you!!
  • Right on.
  • Skilled, professional, comforting.
  • Excellent!
  • Excellent/Very possibly saved my life. Thanks. (13-112982; R. O’Neil, M. Sparks). 

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Ted Dombroskas Completes Precepting Phase

Aetna Ambulance Matt Dombroskas

(L to R): Ted Dombroskas reaches for the coveted medical control letter held by Preston Ryzak

HARTFORD – As of January 17, 2014 Aetna’s Ted Dombroskas has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.

Ted’s preceptor was Preston Ryzak. 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, Ted’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing Ted and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Ted graduated from the Yale New Haven Sponsor Hospital Paramedic Program. 

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

The Hartford Circus Fire and Aetna Ambulance: Volume 8

Emmet Kellyby Sam Porcello

Miss earlier volumes? Click here…

(Note: This post was written in the Summer of 2013) After advancing through the Regional competition at Torrington High School in March 2013, I participated in the State History Day competition at Central Connecticut State University on April 27th.  During the interview portion of the state competition, the judges were intrigued by the photo of the two “doctors” loading a patient into an ambulance, and specifically asked about them.

The exhibit was awarded first place, so I will be participating in the National Competition at the University of Maryland in College Park from June 9-13.   In addition, each year at Nationals, one student from each state is nominated to display their exhibit at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.  I am honored to have been selected this year, so the story of the Hartford Circus Fire and Aetna Ambulance will be on display at the museum on Wednesday, June 12.

Thank you again.  Please know that I will be thinking of all of you in June when I compete for Connecticut, and am proud to share this part of Hartford history with others.  The story of Aetna Ambulance is remarkable.

Historical Photos: Ambulance Service of Manchester #10

MANCHESTER — Year unknown, likely mid 1960′s. Pictured is a victim of a motor vehicle accident victim attended to by Roger Talbot, Manchester Ambulance’s patriarch. Note the Manchester Police officer, the concerned  well-dressed bystanders and Roger in the foreground. Photo credit and thanks to Kenneth Burkamp as noted in the watermark.

ASM Historical 7A

Words That Describe Us: Volume 18

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:

  • Caring and effective. The EMT who rode with me was very personable and helped put me at ease. Be sure to thank him! Also, thanks to [all] for a safe trip! (13-107201; R. Leslie, T. Luetjen).
  • Very professional – Caring – Great service. My first time using this service and in a lot of pain but everyone did their best to help me get the care I needed. (13-108253; A. Fine, J. Rasmussen). 
  • Professional and reliable. It is comforting to know that this service is available. The staff we have met have been outstanding professionals. (13-108366; T. Marshall, C. Edwards). 
  • Very compassionate and professional.
  • Very professional x 2.
  • Professional and courteous.
  • Prompt, helpful.
  • Helpful.
  • Timely and caring.
  • Great when the need arises!
  • Complete.
  • Excellent patient care.
  • EMT people were fantastic! Everyone was nice, personable and professional. Thank you! (13-100824; M. Buerk, K. Caldwell).
  • On time.
  • Attentive.
  • Professional x 5.
  • Excellent! Thanks very much.
  • Great x 2.
  • Excellent. During this terrible time of stress it is so good to be treated so well and efficiently (13-105361; H. Mendes).
  • Great job! Very caring and concerned.
  • Excellent x 2.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1″: Volume 12

MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:

  • A new main entrance has been cut in the brick and cinder block on the south side of the building.
  • A new main lobby area has been created with dual glass entryways and a reception area.
  • The second tier of old exterior wall has been cut through to create a new main hallway that extends from the new entrance all the way to the ambulance bay.
  • Lockers have been moved to a new locker room with staging area for medical supplies.
  • The drop ceiling for the main hallway has been installed.
  • A second hallway has been created in the rear of the building (western side) to give access from the call taking area to the office hallway. Four new offices have been constructed and completed in this area.

The next steps are moving into the new offices, completing the new main hallway and reception area, updating and moving the Dispatch-Communications offices and updating the call-taking office.

The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.

External Winter Storm Update from DESPP / DEMHS

Hercules2014

STATUS OF THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER – MONITORING

Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for the entire state until Friday morning.  A Coastal Flood Watch (Minor Flooding Expected) is in effect from 10:00 PM until 2:00 AM Friday morning for Coastal Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

At 1:45 PM radar showed bands of light snow falling across the state with temperatures ranging from the mid teens in Northern CT up to low 20’s along the coast.  According to DOT Camera’s secondary roads are currently slush or snow coated in many areas.  Most highways are still fairly snow free in the travel lanes.  Northeast Winds are currently gusting to 20 MPH inland and up to 30 MPH along the coast with wind chills near 0 F in Northern CT up to +10 F at the coast.

This Afternoon: Bands of light snow becoming steadier by 4:00 PM with around an inch of accumulation during the afternoon.  Northeast winds gradually increasing and gusting to 25 – 35 MPH by late this afternoon.  The impact on the afternoon rush hour is expected to range from minor in the valleys and highways to pockets of moderate impact in the rural areas and in the higher elevations.  Temperatures are forecast to fall into the low teens by late afternoon with wind chills ranging from -10 F to +10 F.

Tonight: Northeast winds increasing to 30 – 35 MPH with snow becoming moderate to heavy at times.  The heaviest snow and wind (with near blizzard conditions expected along the coast) is currently expected between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.  During this time snowfall rates are forecast to be approximately 1” per hour with low visibilities, blowing and drifting of snow and a moderate to major impact on overnight travel.  Temperatures will also be bitter cold overnight with lows between +5 and +10 F and wind chills ranging from -5 to -15 F.  Total overnight snowfall of 5 – 7” is expected.  Minor coastal flooding is expected around the time of high tide at midnight in Western Long Island Sound with tide departures around 2 feet above the normal high tide.

Friday Morning: Snow tapering off to flurries from West to East between 7:00 – 10:00 AM and ending completely by early afternoon.  The impact on the morning rush hour is expected to be to moderate to borderline major with several inches of snow cover on most roads, light snow falling early and considerable blowing and drifting of the dry snow across roads.  Highs on Friday are only expected to reach the low teens with wind chills ranging from -10 to 0 F during the day.  Blowing snow is expected thru the Afternoon with a minor impact on the afternoon rush hour expected.

Total snowfall for the storm is forecast to range from 7 – 10” statewide with the lowest amounts in Southwestern CT and the highest amounts along the Southeast coast and in far Eastern CT.

Friday Night: Very cold conditions are expected with lows ranging from -10 to -15 F in Northern CT up to +0 F along the coast.  Lighter winds are expected to push wind chills down to –10 to -20 F at times.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will continue to monitor the latest weather conditions and will issue another update at 6:00 PM this evening.

Aetna, ASM, State Police Toy Drive Pictures for 2013

WEST HARTFORD — Attached are pictures from the Connecticut State Police ‘Stuff a Cruiser’ Toy Drive for 2013 which is a team effort with Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester.

The Toy Drive took place December 19-22 at Toys R Us locations in Manchester, Newington and West Hartford and brings in cash donations and toys for children treated at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center locations throughout the year. Photo credit to David Tedeschi.