Historical Photos: Ambulance Service of Manchester #11

MANCHESTER — Year unknown, likely late 1970′s to mid 1980’s. Pictured is Roger Talbot, Manchester Ambulance’s patriarch, wearing a Metro jacket at what appears to be a company party. Can you identify the other two behind the bagels? Post to comments if you can. 

ASM Historical 19

Words That Describe Us: Volume 30

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:

  • Excellent response and care.
  • Excellent care giving service!
  • Awesome.
  • Doing a good job.
  • God bless the [EMS Providers] that picked her up. She’s recovering at [Skilled nursing facility]. Thank you all and regards. (14-34124; D. White, R. Fross).
  • Everyone was very concerned and caring of our needs. Thank you.
  • Friendly and knowledgeable.
  • Very good.
  • The skill and care of the paramedics was exceptional (14-40407; A. Fine, J. Truebig).
  • Good service.
  • Fabulous.
  • Kind
  • Excellent x 2.
  • Fantastic, Professional, Caring and Experienced. Thank you so much. (14-40987: T. Oliver, D. Tedeschi).
  • Outstanding service.
  •  Comfortable – Most conscientious crew. All went well, arrived promptly and taken good care of at Hartford Hospital. (14-42583: R. McConville, H. DiGirolamo).
  • Highly professional service by caring personnel. (14-42703: D. Slomcinsky, R. Fraley).
  • A job well done. I thought my glasses were broken on the floor. Someone must have picked them up, fixed them and cleaned them. To whoever did this, thank you. (14-39836: S. Allen, M. Tuttle).
  • Very kind. Made my 4 year old son feel at east and comfortable. (14-41319; J. Bak, R. Fross).
  • Very professional.
  • On a scale of 1 to 10 they get a 10. (14-43155; R. Leslie, J. Rasmussen responding with Somers Fire Department ambulance.

Words That Describe Us: Volume 29

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:

  • A blessing to all of us. Thanks for helping me get better. (14-49735; T. Houle, A. Pardi responding with East Hartford Fire Department).
  • Professional, courteous and very caring (14-47975; S. Finnigan, C. Quezada).
  • Professionals – Thank you.
  • Knowledgeable/caring.
  • Great.
  • Very well handled.
  • Comforting.
  • Kind.
  • They were very caring and professional. (14-49646; C. Lemire, K. Baker responding with Manchester Fire Rescue EMS).
  • I couldn’t ask for more. (14-51283; S. Thompson, J. Truebig).
  • Reassuring.
  • OK.
  • Professional and caring.
  • Well mannered and professional. (14-51715; R. Leslie, C. LaChance).
  • Good.
  • Professional, courteous.
  • G. Geres took great care of my son and put him at ease! Thank you! (14-42088; G. Geres, R. Bilodeau).
  • Very professional.
  • Very good at what they do.
  • Very friendly.
  • “Lifesaving”
  • Life saving.
  • Capable, Considerate and Professional (14-52610; R. O’Neil, N. Raiola).

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Dave Pozniak Completes Precepting Phase

Dave PozniakMANCHESTER –As of July 17, 2014, ASM’s David Pozniak has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Dave’s preceptors were  Paramedic Supervisors Scott Thompson and Beth Sheils and Paramedic Dave White. 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, Dave’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Dave and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Dave started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2010 and graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic Program. 

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

“The crew was professional and caring”

Aetna Wallpaper 2

“The crew was professional and caring” read the initial Patient Satisfaction Survey. The patient’s wife went much further, writing the following letter about her husband’s long distance ambulance transport:

We were very thankful that we had chosen Aetna Ambulance for my husband Dave’s transport from Hartford, CT to Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, NY. Joan set up the transport and answered all of our questions. She was most helpful and described exactly what we could expect for transport and arrival at our destination.

The ambulance crew arrived on time at my husband’s room. They carefully prepared him for transport and rolled [the stretcher down] to the ambulance. They made sure they had all his personal belongings and they also took wonderful care of me and our son. I rode in the ambulance and my son drove to Buffalo. Donna made sure he was comfortable for our trip. Melissa and Tom took over driving duties. They were excellent drivers and were very caring about Dave’s comfort.

Throughout the drive Donna talked to Dave and took care of all his needs. The trip was uneventful. The arrival at the hospital was smooth and Dave was delivered to the MRU floor of the hospital. Donna, Tom and Melissa could not have been nice to us or more caring to Dave, our son and me during our journey from Hartford, CT to Buffalo, NY.

Thank you.

Please give our thanks to Donna, Melissa and Tom and tell them that Dave is out of the hospital rehab and will be taking outpatient rehab. He is so improved and they were part of the process to bring him back to his recovered self.

(14-55717. Information above appears with patient permission)

ASM Responds: LifeStar Called To Serious Crash On I-84 In Tolland; Highway Shut Down

Photo credit: @TollandAlert

Photo credit: @TollandAlert

By KELLY GLISTA and CHRISTINE DEMPSEY

The Hartford Courant

10:34 a.m. EDT, July 10, 2014

TOLLAND — LifeStar helicopters and several emergency crews were called to the scene of a serious crash on the eastbound side on I-84 Thursday morning, according to officials.

State police said the single-vehicle accident happened near exit 68. The eastbound side of I-84 remains closed as police investigate the crash, but the westbound lanes have been partially reopened.

The crash was reported about 8:40 a.m., Assistant Fire Chief Douglas Racicot said. The car was down an embankment, in the woods, and there were four victims, three of whom were reported to have been ejected from the vehicle, he said.

As of about 10:15 a.m., two patients were in critical condition, one was in serious condition and a fourth was being evaluated for less serious injuries at an area hospital.

The car was about 50 feet into the woods and plunged down a 40 foot drop, Racicot said.

Numerous police and fire officials responded to the scene as well as about seven ambulances. Both of the medical helicopters available in Connecticut were initially called to the scene and emergency crews requested a third out of Massachusetts.

Three paramedic ambulances were dispatched to the scene by the Ambulance Service of Manchester, a spokesman said.

Read the full Courant article here…

Words That Describe Us: Volume 28

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:

  • Although I was in pain, the crew was wonderful.
  • Quick, skilled, worked great as a team. Eased my fears significantly. Knew I was in good hands. (14-44836; J. Bak, M. Khan and Town of Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS).
  • Wonderful, relaxed, professional. My dad, almost two weeks later, is still exclaim(ing) how kind and patient the EMTs were (14-45500; K. Russell, C. Haag).
  • Great care.
  • Comforting, professional, helpful.
  • Professional and skilled.
  • Very professional and knowledgeable (14-42673; J. Traber, T. Oliver).
  • Friendly.
  • Very professional!
  • They did a great job.
  • They are great!
  • EMT very understanding (14-44156; J. Rasmussen).
  •  Compassionate and caring.
  • Very professional service.
  • Professional and caring.
  • Wonderful.
  • I felt safe.
  • Very professional and courteous.
  • Pass along how great the crew was on this trip. Both crew members kept the environment calm and soothing even though it was a substantial injury. (14-45791; S. Gregg, N. Raiola).
  • Very good, very professional. If it wasn’t for you guys I would not be here today!!! I’m sure of that!!! (14-45129; S. Crittenden, M. Makulis).
  • Outstanding!! Thank you (crew members)!! (14-47799; D. Kemp, A. Kramer).

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1″: Volume 17

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

  • The dispatching and communications functions have been moved into the brand new, renovated Communications Center which is awaiting a new kitchenette in order to be complete. The Center now has additional monitor screens per dispatcher, additional dispatching positions if needed as well as special lighting systems and other features.
  • The last remaining storage ‘cage’ in the ambulance bay has been demolished to make way for nose-in parking for the two bariatric units.
  • The new, additional classroom/meeting space is fully functional and in use complete with an AV podium, kitchenette, separate entrance and special lighting.
  • Signage, an awning and planters will be added to the new main entrance soon.

The next steps are re-configuring the main call-taking office, finishing carpeting certain spaces, constructing the hands-on training area and adding the awning to the new entrance.

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

Stephanie Boutot Represents ASM in Boom Box Parade Once Again

WINDHAM — ASM appeared in Willimantic’s 29th annual Boombox Parade on July 4, 2014 care of AEMT and Field Training Officer Stephanie Boutot. Stephanie has been insistent that ASM participate each year as she was in the very first Boom Box parade.

According to the WILI 1400 AM website, the WILI July 4th “Boom Box Parade is the largest of its kind in the world. In 1986, no marching band could be found for Windham’s Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later, the “Boom Box Parade” concept was born, as WILI plays the marching band music on the air, while thousands march and watch, loudly playing their radios (boom boxes). Anyone can march or enter a float in “Connecticut’s Unique People’s Parade.”

ASM’s Ray Stovall Receives Medal of Valor from Somers Fire Department

Ray Stovall

Somers firefighter Ray Stovall gets the business from his two young children, Ella, 4, and Nathan, 2, who can’t resist knocking off his cap, part of his formal uniform, Monday evening, June 30, 2014, outside the Somers firehouse. Moments earlier Stovall received the Medal of Valor for his part in rescuing a woman from a burning home last December in Somersville. (Jim Michaud / Journal Inquirer)

By Gayla M. Cawley

Journal Inquirer (Read the full article here)

SOMERS — The Somers Fire Department on Monday recognized one of its own and a firefighter from the Hazardville Fire Department in Enfield for their heroism in rescuing a woman from a burning building last December.

Somers firefighter Ray Stovall was on hand at the Fire Department on Main Street to receive his Medal of Valor and official citations from the General Assembly and his department, but Capt. Jaime Hurley of the Hazardville Fire Department was unable to attend as he was working.

First Selectwoman Lisa Pellegrini presented Stovall with the citation from the General Assembly, reading aloud some of it, which proclaimed, “You are a model firefighter and an inspiration to us all.”

Pellegrini told Stovall, “You are a hero.”

Somers Fire Chief Gary Schiessl presented Stovall with the Medal of Valor and a citation from the department for “entering a burning structure, rescuing the woman, and bringing her to safety.”

“There is no greater reward for firefighters than to save a life,” Schiessl said.

Somers Deputy Fire Chief Frank Falcone, Jr. also responded to the call that Wednesday morning on Dec. 4, 2013, at a multi-family residence at 61 Main St. He witnessed the lifesaving actions of Stovall and Hurley as they found the woman, Katie Colgan, 34, lying unconscious in her daughter’s second-floor bedroom and carried her outside to safety.

Falcone said the Medal of Valor was fitting and that the rescue was “truly a team effort.”

Stovall agreed, saying, “It was one of those days where everything worked. It’s one of the proudest moments of my career so far. To be able to save a life is definitely awesome.” (Read the full article here)

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Matt Tuttle Completes Precepting Phase

Matt TuttleMANCHESTER –As of June 27, 2014, ASM’s Matt Tuttle has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

Matt’s preceptors were  Paramedics Sue Allen 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, Matt’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Matt and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.

Matt started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2006 and graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic Program. 

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