Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1″: Volume 6

Posted on August 2, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — The renovation of space once occupied by Marcus Communications continues.

Basic framing was completed and most of the dry wall is in place and has been joined with compound and sanded within the new space.
The fire sprinkler system has been extended to pass the level of the drop ceiling.
HAVC systems have been upgraded and re-routed.
The basic shape of the rooms is evident.
Doorways have been framed in the main hallway.

: Secondary training area for hands-on, practical training and body mechanics

: Doorway between lecture classroom and simulation classroom

: Re-routed and updated HVAC system, multi-zone

: Reverse angle, new billing office area and office space

: Future locker room looking into medical supply staging and re-supply area

: Pass through window between medical supply storage and re-supply staging area.

: Reverse angle of new classroom

: New additional classroom, doorway to billing office

: New billing office section and office space

: Roll-up doors inside new medical supply storage area

The next steps are to complete the drywalling process and begin installing the drop ceiling. Visible in the pictures is the shape of the new office space, hallways, training rooms, billing office area, restrooms and medical staging areas.

When completed, the renovated space will include additional training and simulation areas, a relocated locker area, new offices, a medical supply staging area, and two new restrooms although the plans remain fluid.

ASM and Aetna Host NAEMT EMS Safety Course

Posted on July 31, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

NAEMT MANCHESTER — On July 31, 2013, the Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester will conduct/host a National Association of EMTs EMS Safety Course. According to their website, “NAEMT’s EMS Safety course aims to promote a culture of EMS safety and help reduce the number and intensity of injuries incurred by EMS practitioners in carrying out their work.”

“The course increases the practitioners’ awareness and understanding of EMS safety standards and practices and develops their ability to effectively implement them. EMS Safety is the first national and most comprehensive education program of its kind that teaches techniques on how to best achieve safety on the job.

“The curriculum covers crew resource management, emergency vehicle safety, responsibilities in scene operations, patient handling, patient, practitioner and bystander safety, and personal health. It offers an overview of current issues surrounding safety in EMS, presents and discusses case studies, builds risk assessment and decision-making skills and provides an opportunity for participants to relate their own experiences with EMS safety issues.”

Aetna and ASM employees that takes and pass the class and are either ACLS or PALS instructors (or are a licensed teacher) will be able to teach the class in the future. It is possible that the program will be integrated in future learning opportunities and orientations.

Three ASM Medics Complete Fundamentals of Critical Care Support

Posted on July 29, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Photo courtesy of Boston MedFlight

BOSTON — Kenya Russell, Mike Levasseur and Greg Derosier attended the Fundamentals of Critical Care Support (FCCS) course on July 18th and 19th. Hosted by Boston MedFlight at Hanscom Air Force Base, FCCS was developed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine to help prepare health care personnel to manage critically ill patients for the first 24 hours or until care has been transferred to a tertiary care center or proper consultation can be arranged.

FCCS has been completed by MD’s, RN’s, and Paramedics enabling them to better prioritize the assessment and manage significant changes in the unstable patient. ASM would like to thank Boston MedFlight for their hospitality. Additional information regarding this course may be found at www.sccm.org or for this and other great training opportunities visit www.bostonmedflight.org.

Hartford Courant: Manchester Ambulance Company Changes Fleet

Posted on July 25, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Mercedes Sprinter ambulance, left. and Ford ambulance. Ambulance Service of Manchester has almost completed a fleet change from the Fords to the Mercedes emergency vehicles. (Ambulance Service of Manchester / July 25, 2013)

3:24 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2013

by Jesse Leavenworth

MANCHESTER — A local ambulance company has made a substantial investment in its fleet over the past four years, gradually replacing Fords with what is now a German/American emergency vehicle.

Ambulance Service of Manchester is among the first medical response companies of its size in the nation to switch its line to Sprinter ambulances, ASM spokesman Dave Skoczulek said Thursday. Sprinters had been a Dodge product, but are now part of the Mercedes-Benz line.

At the end of the month, the company will have replaced 27 of its 28 ambulances with Sprinters. The only remaining Ford will be the company’s bariatric ambulance, which is equipped to handle heavy patients.

The diesel-powered Mercedes ambulances get three to four miles more per gallon than the Ford E-350 vans they replaced, have more head-room can remain in service longer with less maintenance and are equipped with a stablity system that the Fords lacked, Skoczulek said. Another advantage is the Sprinter’s sliding side door, a roadside safety improvement over the Fords, which had swing-out side doors.

The Sprinters arrive from Germany as spare vans and are outfitted as ambulances by North Carolina-based American Emergency Vehicles. The Dodge and Mercedes Sprinters have cost as much as $20,000 more than the $56,000 Fords, Skoczulek said, “but we felt that the improved gas mileage and decreased maintenance was worth the investment.”

“We didn’t expect to have to change after decades working in Fords,” he said, “but when the landscape shifted, we didn’t see anything comparable to the Sprinters as an overall package.” Read the story at The Hartford Courant

Praise for ASM Crew from the Bristol Hospital Cancer Care Center

Posted on July 25, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

598882_388866057841106_1209553279_a My name is Theresa Stross and I am a Registered Nurse at the Bristol Hospital Cancer Care Center. I am writing you about three of your employees who were at our cancer center on Tuesday July 16. We had a new patient at our facility who on the way out of the bathroom started to collapse in the hallway. Quickly and professionally your three EMT’s who were here because of another patient,jumped into action and assisted our PCA to get the patient to a stretcher.

Right away they worked with the staff here to obtain vitals, start a line, check a blood sugar, and ultimately transfer the patient to the emergency department for further evaluation. They were very nice, kind, and professional not to mention how helpful they were when this unexpected event occurred at a time when the cancer center was very busy. These three men were: Rob Balkun, Cory Lachance, and Mike Makulis.

I thought it was the least I could do to inform you of how well your employees performed. Many thanks again to Rob, Cory, and Mike.

Sincerely,

Theresa and the Staff at the Bristol Hospital Cancer Care Center

ASM in ‘Run or Dye’ 5k, Most Interesting Ambulance Crew in the World

Posted on July 24, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

HARTFORD — On July 20, 2013 a team from the Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in a Run or Dye event in Hartford.

According to their website, “Run or Dye is the world’s most colorful 5K, is a recreational 5K that celebrates fitness, friendship and fun while blasting participants with safe, eco-friendly, plant-based dye powder. A leader in the fitness literacy movement, Run or Dye’s mission is to encourage better health, fitness and nutrition decisions among its participants and supporters. With races planned in more than 50 high-profile venues across the country, it is expected that more than 500,000 people will Run or Dye in 2013.”

A picture of Team ASM after the event appeared on the Facebook page “The Most Interesting Ambulance Crew in the World”.

Hartford Business Journal: CT’s ambulance services fragmented, consolidated

Posted on July 22, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Ambulance Service of Manchester Hartford Business Journal GREG BORDONARO

In Connecticut’s world of emergency medical services, fragmentation is the name of the game.

It may not surprise many people in the Land of Steady Habits, where cities and towns often operate as their own fiefdoms, but nearly every municipality in the state has its own way of providing emergency medical transport services.

When the half-million or so 911 calls are placed each year by Connecticut residents, just who shows up to provide life-saving support depends on location….

Wayne Wright, who is the president and CEO of Hartford’s Aetna Ambulance Service Inc. and Ambulance Service of Manchester, said all ambulance providers are facing financial challenges as a result of declining Medicare reimbursement rates, which are down about 8.6 percent from a few years ago.

Combined, the two companies have a fleet of 48 ambulances and 228 employees, who respond to about 70,000 calls a year. They provide transport services to many Greater Hartford cities and towns including Hartford.

Read the whole article at Hartford Business Journal…

State Police to hold Tactical Medicine Overview at ASM

Posted on July 18, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

CSP MANCHESTER — A free Continuing Medical Education course will be held Tuesday, July 23rd at the Ambulance Service of Manchester, 275 New State Road from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Trooper First Class Bob Maynard of the Connecticut State Police will present a Tactical Medicine Overview as well as the Emergency Services Unit of the CSP’s medical capabilities. TFC Maynard will also review critical factors in scene awareness.

All levels of EMS provider are welcome as are fire fighters and law enforcement. For more information or to register, contact Melissa Osborne at mosborne@asm-aetna.com. CME hours will be available depending on sponsor hospital.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1″: Volume 5

Posted on June 29, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — The renovation of space once occupied by Marcus Communications continues. The basic framing of the new space is mostly complete. Electrical and plumbing is being run and the existing structural walls are being prepped for adaptation to the plan and space.

: Bump out for water fountain, restroom door covered by plywood.

: Eventual main corridor; door to the new section, restroom and bump out for water fountain visible.

: Back corridor, divided from the remaining space not held by ASM.

: Reverse view of the new billing office space, island visible.

: Island for power and phone systems.

: Additional billing office space.

: Framed new restroom, reinforcements for sinks and toilets visible as well as plumbing.

: Building master plan.

The next steps are to complete electrical and plumbing and start to hang walls. Visible in the pictures is new office space for the billing office, an additional server room, changes to what will be the main corridor including a bump out leading to restrooms with space where a water fountain may be mounted.

ASM Accepting Applications for Third Shift Dispatch

Posted on June 5, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

JOB DESCRIPTION

BUSY AMBULANCE COMPANY SEEKS FULL TIME INDIVIDUAL TO FILL THIRD SHIFT POSITION IN FAST PACED DISPATCH CENTER.

Candidates must possess a strong ability to organize and accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously. Must demonstrate efficient performance during intense and stressful situations.

Preference will be give to candidate with prior experience as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) experience a plus.

Responsibilities include extensive interaction with local police departments, public safety answering points for 911 calls, EMS crew members, hospitals and medical facilities, patients and insurance companies.

Benefits include medical, dental and life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) with employer contribution, vacation, sick and personal time.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Please send resume and salary requirements to ASM, Director of Operations, PO Box 300, Manchester, CT06045. Alternately, a downloadable application is available at http://www.ambulanceservicemanchester.com/careers.php. Application or resume acceptable.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Jason Bak Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on May 29, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Jason Bak - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC. MANCHESTER – As of May 15, 2013, ASM’s Jason Bak has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

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

Jason started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in December of 2007, has a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of New Haven and graduated from Goodwin College/Hartford Hospital Paramedic Program.

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

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1”: Volume 4

Posted on May 17, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Renovation Plan MANCHESTER — The renovation of space once occupied by Marcus Communications continues. The direction of water flow through the building has been changed. A system of trenches had been dug for that purpose are close to being filled and sealed.

The album shows before and after photos and framing of the space is well underway. The next steps are to complete framing and start to hang walls.

: A before picture of the space that will house a new section of the billing office. These walls are now demo’d

: Before Demo: Area near where the new main entrance and lobby will be.

: BEFORE – Additional training room space before walls are stripped and framing has begun.

: BEFORE – Medical staging area on the other side of the bay roll-up doors prior to lowering of the HVAC.

: Before Demo: Area where new main restrooms will go prior to demo and framing.

: Before Demo: Another before-demo view of where the new billing office section will be housed.

: Marcus Comms reception area prior to demo.

: Before Demo: Training and staging area prior to demo and trenches.

: Medical staging prior to framing.

: IN PROGRESS – New bathrooms, framed on either side of supply line.

: IN PROGRESS – Medical staging and pass through between training areas, framed.

: IN PROGRESS – Medical staging, hallway to training room and bathroom framing.

: IN PROGRESS – New intended main entrance, lobby area, main hallway, stripped to bare walls.

: IN PROGRESS – Exterior wall to new main billing office area

The overall plan is to have the main entrance be on the south side of the building with a main hallway through the center down to the main vehicle bay. The renovated space will include additional training and simulation areas, a relocated locker area, new offices, a medical supply staging area, and two new restrooms although the plans remain fluid.

Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Tim LaChappelle Completes Precepting Phase

Posted on May 8, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Tim LaChapelle - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC. MANCHESTER – As of May 6, 2013, ASM’s Tim LaChappelle has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves.

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

Tim started at ASM as an EMT-Basic in 2006 and graduated from Capital Community College’s Paramedic Program. Tim is currently the Assistant Chief of Coventry Volunteer Fire Association, Inc in his hometown.

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

ASM Supports Celebrate Life Hospice Remembrance Walk

Posted on May 6, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Home and Community Hospice Remembrance Walk - Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC.

(L to R): ASM’s Nick Raiola and Justin McAuliffe at a standby for Home and Community’s Remembrance Walk

ENFIELD — On May 5, 2013 ASM was on hand to provide standby services to Home and Community Health Service’s George Guyer Memorial Hospice Remembrance Walk at the Asnuntuck Community College Track. Home and Community are a division of Johnson Memorial Medical Center.

The walk raised funds for hospice-related equipment and services such as hospital beds and home health aides for personal care.

Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1”: Volume 3

Posted on May 3, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

Renovation Pictures April A MANCHESTER — Preparation for the renovation of space once occupied by Marcus Communications continues. Currently the construction crew is leveling, re-filling and sealing trenches that were dug to reroute the septic drainage system.

The next steps are to complete remediation of the new space, complete closure of the trench system, test the operational drainage system and complete remaining demo in the first phase space.

: Testing ports in the Phase 1 space, formerly Marcus Communications

: Long stretch of filled trench in the bay where the medic units typically park.

: Leveled and sealed drainage trench in the locker room hallway, test port visible.

: Leveled and filled drainage trenches in the Phase 1 area.

: The HVAC system in Phase 1 has been lowered for ease of maintenance.

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