Emergency of Hunger Results!

MANCHESTER – The 12th Annual “Emergency of Hunger” Food Drive, composed of 1st Responders, Rotary members, and others, was a great success. All donations went to benefit South Windsor Food & Fuel bank and Manchester Area Conferences of Churches food pantry. This year, we collected food, gift cards and cash at Highland Park Market, Geisler’s and Stop & Shop in both South Windsor and Manchester. With added precautions in place to ensure the safety of the participants as well as the donors, we finished strong and here are the results:

South Windsor Totals: Food Items: 8,984 Turkeys: 160 Cash: $12,000

Manchester Totals: Food Items: 7,723 Turkeys: 366 Cash: $18,691.73

Combined Totals: Food Items: 16,707 Turkeys: 526 Cash: $30,691.73

ASM would like to thank everyone involved for making this year’s food drive a success, despite the added challenges.

Highland Park Market, Stop & Shop South Windsor, Geissler’s, Manchester Police Department, South Windsor Police Department, Harbor Chase, South Windsor Rotary Club, Manchester Police Explorers, South Windsor Fire Department, Manchester Community College and all of hard working staff at Ambulance service of Manchester.

ASM Crew Receives ECHN Life Saving Award

ECHN Life Saving Award goes to South Windsor Police, Public Safety Dispatcher Rachel Burnham, Sgt. Ronald Littell, Officer Heather LaRock, and Officer Edmund Klein who helped delivered a breech birth while Rodney Bailey EMT-P and Jeff Rasmussen EMT-P from ASM provided post birth care. Congratulations on a job well done!


In the picture left to right    Public Safety Dispatcher Rachel Burnham, Officer Heather LaRock, Marge Letitia EMS Clinical Coordinator, Paramedic, Jeff Rasmussen, Dr. Alyssa Sexton EMS Medical Director, Paramedic Rodney Bailey  Sgt. Ronald Littel

Words That Describe Us:

Ambulance Service of Manchester sends Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients every month. The final part of the survey asks that the patient or family member use a word or phrase that describes the ambulance crew. Listed below are the words used to describe our amazing employees.

Customer Sati

Recognition from the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department


On Monday August 5th ASM’s EMT Jeffry Hornish and Paramedic Cody Lemire received Certificates of Recognition from the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department.  Fire Chief, Bruce Dixon presented the certificates during the department’s monthly meeting.  Lemire and Hornish were recognized for extraordinary personal actions in the line of duty which lead to the successful resuscitation and saving of a life. Congratulations and great job!

ASM Newsletter, Volume 2!

The Ambulance Service of Manchester is happy to release the second issue of Pulse, the ASM employee newsletter. Released quarterly, Pulse features numerous articles outlining company news and events, training opportunities, case studies (periodically), health and wellness tips, and more. Additionally, each issue will contain an Employee Spotlight article, recognizing an EMT or Paramedic that has demonstrated a commitment to patients and co-workers alike via positive attitude, work ethic, and overall inspiring demeanor. Please enjoy!

Aetna Attends “Touch A Truck Event” in Hartford!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HARTFORD — On May 6, 2017 Aetna Ambulance Service attended a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood themed “Touch a Truck” event held at CPBN Television Station on Asylum Avenue in Hartford. The event, organized by a group of military veterans, encouraged kids to interact with Police, Fire, and EMS personnel in order to gain a sense of familiarity with first responders. Event Coordinator James Reeves’s motivation for the project was “creating, coordinating, and executing a family-friendly event that highlights the importance for children and families to “be a good neighbor” and become more involved in their communities.”  Mr. Reeves also stated “we feel that kids should be unafraid of those in uniform to the point that they can communicate freely and openly, especially in times of urgent need.”

Aetna Field Supervisor Matt Campbell, and EMT’s Alexandra Zhakov and Anthony Mazzola provided ambulance tours and the entertainment for those in attendance, giving out coloring books and posing for pictures.

 

Aetna Assists at “Fire Ops 101 Day”

HARTFORD- On April 10th, 2017 The Uniformed Professional Fire Firefighters Association of Connecticut hosted an event at Hartford FD’s Training Academy. “Fire Ops 101 Day” provides elected officials and other civilians the opportunity to experience the physical and mental challenges that first responders face on a daily basis.

Representative from Aetna Ambulance, several local fire departments, and other agencies acted as handlers walking representatives through real life scenarios.

 

Please note below Aetna Ambulance Field Supervisors Bob Mara and Matt Campbell assisting participants with the care of a simulated trauma patient.

 

ASM Receives Award from Vernon FD!

On Monday, February 27th, 2017, The Ambulance Service of Manchester received a Unit Citation during the Town of Vernon Fire Department’s annual award ceremony. As noted in the photo, the accolade was presented due to ASM’s participation in the August 4th, 2016, East Street home explosion. Along with multiple other agencies, ASM was called upon to provide mutual aid. Paramedic Greg Derosier and partner EMT John Bush, along with Paramedic Todd Marshall and partner EMT Stacy DeBarge responded to the scene to provide care and rapid transport to the critically injured residents. The outcome of the incident demonstrates the true benefit that can occur when members of the first responder community work together.

 

As provided within the citation:

“Your department’s participation in this operation will not be forgotten and appreciated through the fruitful lives that the trapped residents now have the opportunity to fulfill.”

ASM Appears in National News!

east-hartford-plane-crash-matthew-kleza-heather-digirolamo

Photo Credit: Jim Michaud

East Hartford – On Tuesday, October 11th, a Piper PA 34 aircraft (information provided by the F.A.A.) crashed on the 400 block of Main Street in East Hartford prompting a whirlwind of news coverage. The above picture was released on the US News and World Report website later that evening.

Working alongside East Hartford and Pratt and Whitney Fire departments, in conjunction with East Hartford Police, The Ambulance Service of Manchester responded to the scene with a total of 5 ambulances and an Operations Supervisor vehicle.  Two patients were transported with ASM and East Hartford Fire Paramedics to area hospitals.

Ambulance Service of Manchester does not publish pictures of patients or their family members.  This picture was published by The US News and World Report.

 

 

Praise for an MFRE and ASM Response

Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance ASM FMANCHESTER — In August of 2016 ASM received an email from a patient in Manchester for a response in July. In it she praised the care she received from ASM’s Luke Zalewski and Sean McNeff working with Manchester Fire Rescue EMS (MFRE) firefighter-paramedics. The email read as follows:

The ambulance crew was so kind to me I have been wanting to send them a thank you note. I was in so much pain when they arrived at my house, and as a young woman I was worried they might not take my complaints seriously, but they did. When they arrived I was in so much pain I could barely stand up. They helped me out of the house, but they also went the extra mile of reassuring me that my two cats did not get out of the house when they left the door open. They described both cats to me and said they had seen them both go into the basement. This really helped me to relax  in a difficult situation. They could have just told me not to worry about it, but they took all of my concerns seriously.

On the way to the hospital they administered medication in an IV that helped my pain decrease. I was scared when I arrived at the hospital because I was alone but they reassured me they would not leave me by myself. I typically use alternative medicine because I have previously had many negative experiences with the conventional medical system, but this was not one of them. I am so grateful I called that day and so grateful that the crew treated me with so much care and respect. I felt they really went above and beyond to make sure that I felt as comfortable and safe as possible. What wonderful people! The doctors believe I had a ruptured cyst and I am feeling better now. Thank you so much!

[This redacted and de-identified story and commentary appears with the patient’s express permission]

“I am so happy to have met these two gentlemen”

Patient Satisfaction SurveyPraise for ASM’s Todd Marshall and David Tedeschi

SOUTH WINDSOR — In late July ASM received a patient satisfaction survey response for a call done by Paramedic Todd Marshall and his EMT partner Dave Tedeschi in South Windsor.

As noted in the picture, the wife of the patient checked off Strongly Agree with a check-plus to 17 check boxes related to patient satisfaction within the survey; all that applied.

In the narrative section the patient’s spouse shared some details of the care that her husband received. For the sake of privacy some of the information has been redacted in the following section.

She described the crew as “Extraordinary! Caring, Compassionate.” She went on to say, “I have always received excellent care from ASM.” She called them “very soothing and reassuring” and that their report to the hospital was beyond what she had experienced in the past and ensured the patient received a critical special accommodation.

She finished by saying, “they made a stressful situation a little bit better. They are a credit to your business. I am so happy to have met these two gentlemen.”

Praise again for Aetna’s Eric Thepsiri and Donna Achilli

Eric Thepsiri

Eric Thepsiri

WETHERSFIELD — In late July Aetna’s office received a patient satisfaction survey from a patient treated in Wethersfield in June by Eric Thepsiri and Donna Achilli. The patient had checked off every box with “Strongly Agree” to questions like, the Paramedic was highly skilled, kept you informed, relieved pain and anxiety. 15 boxes in total.

Donna Achilli

Donna Achilli

When asked to use a word or phrase to describe the crew the patient wrote, Fabulous!!.

In the narrative section the patient went on to write, “I was picked up by the Great Eric + Donna. They treated me above and beyond what I expected. We connected well. They were so professional and friendly. They stayed with my in the hospital until they had to leave and came to say goodbye! They are the absolute best!! We had some good laughs too 🙂 Tell them I say Hi!”

Note: Run #16-47131, certain information redacted for privacy.

NEWS ALERT – Aetna Responds to I-91 Exit 26 for Motor Vehicle Accident

Photo credit: CT State Police Twitter feed

Photo credit: CT State Police Twitter feed

For Immediate Release:

ORIGINAL ALERT — Aetna Ambulance is responding to a motor vehicle accident on I-91 North at exit 24 in Wethersfield. Four ambulances are enroute as is an Operations Supervisor for coordination. Reported as six patients, two possibly critically injured at this time. Time of call 1551.

UPDATE – Two patients transported to Hartford Hospital. Four to Saint Francis Hospital, two of which were receiving advanced life support care as of 1622.

FINAL – Six total patients transported as below. No patients remain to be transported at this time.

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Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 19

Aetna Paramedic receives Kudos from the Cath LabSOMERS — During June 2016, ASM Paramedic Billy Schnepp and his partner Bill Gorman responded to a medical call in Somers, CT. The patient had a witnessed cardiac arrest, was defibrillated by Somers Fire Department prior to ASM’s arrival. The patient had a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) from Somers FD efforts and was being loaded into their ambulance.

The patient became slowly able to follow commands and answer questions in the ambulance and responded to care consistent with protocol. The EKG was indicative of a STEMI and Billy wirelessly transmitted the 12-lead EKG to [Hospital], activating their cardiac catherization lab from the field. (#16-43800). Early intervention, teamwork and technology all in play to improve outcomes.

Somers Fire DepartmentExcellent job by Somers Fire Department in their aggressive, accurate and appropriate care. Great job by Billy and Bill on deploying wireless STEMI transmission. This is a strong example of teamwork among ASM and our partners. ASM is proud to work alongside Somers Fire Department.