The Emergency of Hunger Food Drive

Posted on November 11, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

Manchester and South Windsor first responders to collect donated food

HARTFORD COURANT |

NOV 10, 2020 AT 5:57 PM

Volunteers with the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive unload donations from an ambulance at MACC Charities in Manchester. (Courtesy of Patrick Gleason/ASM)

MANCHESTER — Police, firefighters and ambulance crews will team up with other organizations for the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive benefiting food pantries in Manchester and South Windsor.

This weekend and next, volunteers will collect donated turkeys, nonperishable food items, gift cards and cash donations at supermarkets in both towns.

Organized by the Ambulance Service of Manchester, this is the 12th annual drive. All donations will go to Manchester Area Conference of Churches Charities, which runs a community kitchen and food pantry, and South Windsor Food and Fuel Bank, drive spokesman Patrick Gleason of ASM said Tuesday.

The collection is “very critical this year,” MACC Charities Executive Director Beth Stafford said.

“Need is up and more and more ‘new’ families are looking for help with food, especially holiday meals,” Stafford said.

The South Windsor Fuel and Food Bank is run through the town’s human services department. The annual food drive stocks the pantry’s shelves for the winter months, department Director Andrea Cofrancesco said.

The need for donations in South Windsor also has increased, in part due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Cofrancesco said.

“We’ve seen people that we’ve never seen before. They’re in a different situation now than they were,” she said.

Partners in the effort include Manchester and South Windsor police and fire departments, Highland Park Market, Stop & Shop supermarkets, Geissler’s Supermarket, Manchester Police Explorers, South Windsor Rotary Club and Harbor Chase at Evergreen Walk.

Collection places and times are: Highland Park Market, 317 Highland St., Manchester, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Stop & Shop in Manchester, 318 West Middle Turnpike, Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Stop & Shop in South Windsor, 1739 Ellington Road, Nov. 21 and 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Geissler’s Supermarket, South Windsor, 965 Sullivan Ave., Nov. 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com

Aetna Ambulance Celebrates 75 Years

Posted on November 6, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna Ambulance Service is extremely honored to be celebrating 75 years of service in the city of Hartford. Founded in 1945 by Howard and Herman Grady, Aetna Ambulance arose in response to the Ringling Brothers Circus fire that occurred in Hartford on July 6, 1944, claiming 138 souls.

The Grady Family was deeply moved by the loss of life as a result of this catastrophe, therefore they recognized a need for a full-time ambulance company. It is very likely that given the expanse of this tragedy, the community wanted to prevent it from ever happening again. Aetna Ambulance was started and was run out of the Grady family home and the flower shop on Wethersfield Avenue. It was common for the Grady gentlemen to be called out of family events, holiday dinners, and in the middle of bad weather or snowstorms to assist the local residents. They felt a very deep desire to help others in need, so they also went out into the community to teach first aid classes as well as sitting on the EMS Advisory board.

Now that being said, much has happened in the past 75 years, even the last 15 years. We would not be here today if it wasn’t for our dedicated employees. It is a point of pride for Aetna employees that the company has such a rich history.

Happy Birthday Aetna Ambulance Service

Socially Distant Halloween Event

Posted on November 5, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

EAST HARTFORD – On Saturday, October 31^st, the town of East Hartford held a socially distant “Trunk or Treat Drive” sponsored by the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Pratt & Whitney. Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in this event handing out treats to each car along with other local companies and organizations. Over 500 cars rolled down the Pratt and Whitney Airstrip, while groups tossed candies into the trucks of passing vehicles. Kids and parents seemed to enjoy this amazing event and collected over 2500 from the ASM group!

ASM Receives Early Halloween Treat

Posted on November 3, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER – On Friday, October 30th, Fred Brown, Director of Marketing & Member Development at Northeast Family Federal Credit Union in Manchester gave the ASM Office Staff and crews and Early Halloween gift of Munson’s Chocolate bars. ASM would like to thank Fred and all of his coworkers for this thoughtful gesture of support.

Meet the Newest Members of the Team: ASM Hires Four – 2020

Posted on October 31, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — On October, 26^th, 2020, ASM welcomed 4 new EMTs to our team. As part of our continued growth, ASM seeks out only the best candidates. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team-oriented, and conduct themselves in a professional manner. During the orientation, employees learn about company philosophy and goals, quality assurance, and policies and procedures.

**From left to right**: Karina Bolling, Ashlee Shilosky, Troy Schenher, and Brendan Thomas

ECHN First Responders Day Celebration

Posted on October 30, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

ECHN was honored to host a First Responder’s Day celebration on October 28^th, 2020 at Manchester Memorial Hospital. We are grateful for our First Responder’s commitment to serving and protecting people within our community and thank them for their endless dedication and bravery. They are an integral part of our healthcare team and we are proud to have them as partners!

Tiffany Gelsomino,

Director of Business Development, ECHN

ASM Crew Receives ECHN Life Saving Award

Posted on October 30, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

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

ASM Blood Drive Results

Posted on October 28, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER- On Monday October 19^th, 2020 Ambulance Service of Manchester hosted its fifth American Red Cross Blood Drive at ASM’s headquarters. Here are the results:

“On behalf of the American Red Cross and the hospital patients we serve, I wanted to say thank you for hosting our blood drive at ASM-Aetna on Monday, October 19th. We couldn’t help the hospital patients in need without dedicated sponsors like you that allow the Red Cross to collect lifesaving blood, plasma, and platelets. We are so grateful to have your support!

I am happy to report that we had a fantastic turn out on Monday with 28 successful donations. That is 4 donations over our goal. Wahoo! Here is a quick recap of the results:

33 donors registered, 1 QNS, 2 first time donors, 3 donors deferred and 28 units collected

With this, we will be able to help 84 hospital patients in need of blood, plasma and platelets. Thank You!“

Special attention was taken to ensure all of the employees, community members, and Red Cross staff maintained proper social distancing and followed all CDC guidelines during this event.

Breakfast Provided by The Residence at South Windsor Farms

Posted on October 25, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

On Tuesday, October 20^th, crews from Ambulance Service of Manchester were treated to a delicious hot breakfast by Chef Ryan. Lucy Harrington, Sales and Marketing Director from The Residence at South Windsor Farms, recruited Chef Ryan to create this amazing breakfast for more than 30 crew and staff members. Some crews enjoyed the breakfast prior to their shift, while other crews already on the road took turns rolling through. Breakfast consisted of eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries, and fresh fruit cups. Of course, no breakfast is complete without orange juice and fresh coffee. All of us at ASM would like to thank both Lucy and Chef Ryan and all the other people at The Residence at South Windsor Farms for making all of our days a little brighter. Thank you!

ASM to Host American Red Cross Blood Drive

Posted on October 16, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER- On Monday, October 16th, 2020 Ambulance Service of Manchester will host our fifth American Red Cross Blood Drive at ASM’s headquarters. Employees, friends, family, and community members are welcome to participate. Please click on the link below to register in advance.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Cleared for Independent Dispatch

Posted on October 7, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

n 2015 I was hired at ASM as an EMT. This allowed me to practice my skills and transition into the role of a paramedic student at Capital Community College. After my graduation from the paramedic program I was able to begin precepting. I enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside Josh, Tim, Dave, and Matt over the course of several weeks to gain practice in the field and work towards independent dispatch. Their wealth of knowledge and consistent encouragement, paired with a variety of calls, allowed me to push myself, grow and learn. Their support, as well as my coworkers, has now allowed me to confidently start my work as an independent paramedic.

Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Hosts Breakfast for First Responders

Posted on September 29, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

EAST HARTFORD – On Tuesday, September 29^th, 2020, Riverside Health Care organized a drive-through breakfast for local First Responders. Administrator Karen Chadderton, along with her team put together the event to show support and appreciation for Police, Fire, and EMS. Breakfast consisted of hot sandwiches, fresh fruit cups, and of course, lots of coffee. Ambulance Service of Manchester, East Hartford Fire Department, and East Hartford Police Department crews rotated through while observing social distancing protocols. ASM would like to thank Ms. Chadderton, Michael Bernardi, Laura Fault, and Maggie Roane for the well-planned and thoughtful gesture.

ASM Participates in 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Posted on September 18, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

On September 11th members of the South Windsor Fire Department and Police department gathered with residents of South Windsor to commemorate the loss of nearly 3000 lives on 09/11. Paramedic, Jeffery Rasmussen and EMT Raymond Philbrick represented ASM and joined more than three dozen people attending the memorial that took place at South Windsor Fire Department Headquarters memorial garden.

Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance Work with “Hands on Hartford” to Make a Difference

Posted on September 2, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

On Tuesday September, 1^st Aetna Ambulance and Ambulance Service of Manchester joined forces with State Representative, Geoff Luxenberg and others to clean Keeney Park in Hartford. Staff from both companies arrived early and collected trash and large objects along the Windsor Avenue Park entrance in Hartford. Hands on Hartford is willing and able to provide volunteer opportunities to directly impact the communities we work and live in. If you are interested in learning more about this amazing organization just click on the link below.

“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve”. Martin Luther King

Front Page

Farmington High School Creates Video for Essential Workers

Posted on August 28, 2020 by ASM-Aetna

ASM would like to thank all of the faculty and staff from Farmington High School, with special recognition to Olivia Giuffria, for creating and sharing this amazing video for ASM and Aetna Ambulance. Words can’t express how much we appreciate your support and encouragement during these challenging times. We are all in this together! Click here.

ASM-AETNA Blog

Dedicated to providing consistent, timely and clinically excellent service to our patients, clients and communities.