EAST HARTFORD- On Sunday, September 29th, employees, friends and family members from Aetna Ambulance Service and Ambulance Service of Manchester volunteered at the 2019 Greater Hartford Walk to Defeat ALS. The event was held at Rentschler Field. Team ASM-Aetna members worked in registration and in the food and refreshment booths to support walkers and assist with the day’s overall success.
Please see below or click here for the full article by Hartford Courant Report Jesse Leavenworth.
Sean Norton, an Ambulance Service of Manchester operations supervisor, talks to visitors during ASM’s 60th anniversary celebration Tuesday. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
From a single “hearse-style” wagon and a crew of three in 1959, Ambulance Service of Manchester has grown to 190 employees and 30 ambulances serving the area from East Hartford to Stafford Springs.
On Tuesday, police officers and firefighters who work with the mobile medical crews joined other visitors at ASM’s cavernous headquarters on New State Road to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary.
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians stood by to describe ambulance and equipment displays. ASM has updated its fleet with new Mercedes vans, replacing box-style ambulances. Four of the new vehicles are longer and sturdier, equipped to lift and transport patients who weigh up to 750 pounds. ASM also recently acquired two “stair chairs,” which allow crews to more easily carry patients up and down stairs. Along with heavier patients, ASM crews also have been dealing with an increase in drug overdoses and mentally ill patients, officials said.
Paramedic Chris Myska demonstrates a medication injection in ASM’s training room. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
ASM and Aetna Ambulance Service are sister companies headed by president and CEO Kim Aroh. Asked about the companies’ biggest challenges today, Aroh cited operating costs, such as the recent $300,000 expense to equip all ambulances with digital radios. The companies strive for modest growth each year, she said, but reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid have been flat for a decade.
Besides maintaining equipment and keeping up with changes in life-saving technology, another priority, Aroh said, is to encourage workers’ participation in fun events such as a polar plunge fundraiser _ which benefits the community and the employees. Ambulance crews, she noted, regularly have to handle traumatic scenes.
“They see so many tough things,” Aroh said.
Visitors and ASM employees at the celebration inside the company’s headquarters on New State Road. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
ASM started as Manchester Ambulance with three men _ J. Stewart Johnston, Thomas Carpenter and Roger Talbot Sr. _ who were based at a local auto dealership, according to its website _ www.ambulanceservicemanchester.com. The outfit moved to a three-bay garage at 134 Center St. in 1969 and its territory expanded to include East Hartford and Bolton.
Today, company spokesman Patrick Gleason said, ASM and Aetna serve about 1.2 million people.
Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
MANCHESTER- On September 20th, 2019 Bowers Elementary School hosted their annual Touch-A-Truck event. Ambulance Service of Manchester EMT’s Philip Zetterstrom and Danielle Kamenskiy gave tours to the students and treated a special patient, “Chompers” the Yard Goats mascot.
MANCHESTER — On September 9th, 2019 seven EMTs and one Paramedic were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth, Aetna and ASM seek 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.
On September, 15th ASM participated in the “Manchester Police Benevolent Association Softball Tournament”, playing against Manchester Fire and Rescue, Manchester Police Rookies and the Manchester Police Veterans. ASM won 2 out of 3 games to earn a spot in the finals bracket and faced the Manchester Police Rookies to determine a winner. In the end, ASM took home the trophy by defeating the Rookies 9-0 in an epic battle. All proceeds generated will be donated to the PBA.
Here at Ambulance Service of Manchester, we are dedicated to providing Consistent, Timely and Clinically excellent service to our patients, clients and communities. We do this by providing our employees with state-of-the-art technology, training, and equipment. One example of our continuous efforts to better serve our communities is by keeping our fleet well maintained and up to date. Not only does this ensure seamless and reliable service, but it also makes our patient’s and employee’s safety a number one priority. The video provided shows one of six 2019 Mercedes Sprinter ambulances that are scheduled to go on the road within next couple of months. ASM, ensures that our fleet is performing at top-notch level, with no detail overlooked, including performing all of our vehicle decaling in house. (CLICK HERE for video demonstration). This is a prime example of our continued efforts and dedication to grow, expand, and adapt. Please enjoy the video and don’t forget to subscribe for our latest updates and events.
On Wednesday September 4th 2019, ASM hosted the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce “Sheroes Project.” A total of 75 women attended the third installment of this event. This project consists of four workshops throughout the course of the year to teach women self-defense tactics and techniques to avoid being targeted. These techniques include awareness of surroundings, personal security, self-confidence, active shooter training, and bleeding control. The workshop held at ASM focused on “Once the Shooting Stops… Critical Wound Care.” The women were taught first aid, CPR, and bleeding control techniques using tourniquets, QuikClot gauze, and other field expedient methods.
South Windsor- On Friday, August 30th, 2019, Ambulance Service of Manchester EMT’s Danielle Chowaniec and Chris Tevnan spent the morning at Timothy Edwards Middle School assisting with a week 1 School Safety event organized by SWPD. Teamed up with local first responders including the CT State Police Dive Team, South Windsor Fire Department and South Windsor Police Department, ASM interacted with the children and provided them with a hands-on experience as they rotated through over 10 stations.
HARTFORD — On August 26th, 2019, eight EMTs were added to the Aetna team. As part of our continued growth, Aetna and ASM seek 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.
