ASM Partners with Colorado Ski Patrol!

“I am J. Marshall Thomson and I live in Crested Butte Colorado. My medic journey Started more than 50 years ago when my mother was in a horrific ski accident. If it wasn’t for the on-hill and pre-hospital care of the Ski Patrol and local EMS service, my mother would not have survived.  Growing up an avid skier in VT and hearing of my mother’s story I always wanted to be a ski patroller helping others.  I became an EMT in 2008 and joined the Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ski Patrol and Avalanche Dog Rescue Team.  Over the years, I spent a lot of time traveling while competing in mountain running, ski mountaineering and was a member of the US National Ski Mountaineering team competing at the world championships.  Although racing and competing gave me unforgettable experiences and travels all over the world, I never felt the same sense of pride and accomplishment that I do from being a member of a ski patrol team and helping those in need.  My wife always says, I am happiest when I have the cross on my back.”

“I wanted to become a paramedic to better my knowledge and skills while providing an increased level of care to help my ski patrol, local Fire/EMS and community.  My background and experience are in Ski Patrol and Avalanche SAR, I had never worked on an ambulance for an EMS service.  The lack of traditional EMS experience was going to be one of my biggest challenges.  With Crested Butte having a population of around 3000 people, I wanted to find a service for my ride time that would have the greatest benefit for me to learn and move forward in my paramedic career.  Learning from a service with progressive protocols, high call volume, high level of critical care, longer transport times and highly experienced preceptors willing to teach was very important to me.  ASM seemed to be the perfect fit, after speaking with ASM I knew that it would be worth leaving my family and traveling 2000 miles for the best Paramedic field experience possible.”

“My experience at ASM was invaluable.  The entire team went above and beyond to make me feel welcome, I was a member of the team and not just a student. Every EMT I worked with was willing to take the time to teach me the basics of being on a truck and how the system works.  I was fortunate for the patience everyone had with me and willingness to assist in the entire process of learning.  My preceptors at ASM were amazing with an indispensable wealth of knowledge.  Everyone had their own passion for EMS and a desire to teach and willingness to spend extra time to discuss calls, treatments and differential diagnosis.  My lead preceptor took charge and control of my education making sure that I was learning and improving.  He would follow up with other preceptors making sure I was on the correct path, continuing to discuss my progress and performance.  I am forever grateful for the experience I had with ASM and I am looking forward to taking what I have learned back to the Mountains and communities of Colorado.”

ASM & Aetna Attend Yard Goats First Responder’s Game

HARTFORD- On Monday August 28th, 2019, employees from the Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance enjoyed a night of baseball honoring “First Responder’s”. A Post Size American Flag was brought out on the field as part of the Pre-Game festivities and served as a visual expression of support, during the playing of our National Anthem. The Yard Goats pulled off an impressive win over the Harrisburg Senators (5–1).

ASM Attends Raksha Bandhan Festival in South Windsor

SOUTH WINDSOR- On Saturday, September 19th ASM’s Elizabeth Dowdy and Jonathan Bush took part in a traditional “Raksha Bandhan” Festival held at South Windsor Fire Department’s Headquarters. Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters, and families, on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana. This festival originated when sisters used to tie a band around their brothers/ uncles wrists as a token of appreciation & love. Over a period, it has become an event to celebrate & recognize anyone working to keep society safe. Ambulance Service of Manchester would like to thank Saturday’s organizers for allowing us to participate in this amazing event.

ASM Visits KinderCare in Glastonbury

Glastonbury  — On August 13th, 2019 ASM Paramedic Adam Fine along with  EMT’s Esther Gibbs and Danielle Kamenskiy visited KinderCare in Glastonbury for “Show and tell”. Adam, Esther and Danielle fielded questions from the eager group of 25 kids while giving tours of the ambulance. Children and teachers had a chance to listen to heartbeats, check O2 levels and talk on the loudspeaker. At the end of the tours the students received official Ambulance Service of Manchester stickers.

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!

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Wayne Buckley Completes Precepting Phase

HARTFORD – As of July 15th, 2019, Wayne Buckley has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Wayne started at Aetna in August of 2018. His preceptor was Paramedic Amanda Kneipfer. Wayne offered the following sentiment:

“My name is Wayne Buckley, I was originally hired part time as an EMT-B at Aetna Ambulance Service.  My roots began as an EMT with Rocky Hill Volunteer Ambulance Service where I spent a little over five years, as well as volunteering with Glastonbury’s Service. I Graduated from Hartford Hospitals Paramedic Program and recently finished my precepting phase of my education under the tutelage of Paramedic Amanda Kneipfer. I have known Amanda since before my time at Aetna and felt as a preceptor she was knowledgeable and enthusiastic when it came to pulling the best medicine out of her students. I am truly fortunate to have had Amanda as my preceptor and am looking forward to working with the wide variety of people at Aetna Ambulance as well as serving the Community.”

As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Wayne’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls. On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Wayne the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.

ASM Supports MARC Summer Concert Series

MANCHESTER – On July 30th, 2019, Ambulance Service of Manchester EMTs Sandra Parker and Christopher Sookram provided support for the MARC, Inc “Summer Concert Series”. “Changes in Latitude” headlined playing the music of Jimmy Buffett while the Main Pub served up food to match the festive occasion. All proceeds from the concert series benefit people with developmental disabilities in our community. The last concert of the summer will be July 30th so make sure you stop down and support this amazing organization!