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