MANCHESTER — Year likely 1997. Shown is Alpha 1.
At that time Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 were this model ambulance with the distinct mini-mod, curved side style. They were affectionately known by what nickname?
Answer: The Ice Cream Trucks
Photo courtesy of Mikey Makulis.
HARTFORD COURANT
By Jesse Leavenworth
MANCHESTER — Donations to the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive show the region’s generosity has not diminished.
Police, firefighters, emergency medical providers and other volunteers gathered food and other gifts over the past two weekends at supermarkets in Manchester, Rocky Hill, South Windsor, Vernon and Windsor.
Estimated totals were: 26,000 food and personal care items; $23,000 in cash, checks and gift cards; and 870 turkeys and hams, organizer Dave Skoczulek of Ambulance Service of Manchester said Tuesday.
Total donations for the seven years that first responders have run the drive are 210,000 food and personal care items, $143,000 in cash, checks and gift cards and over 6,000 turkeys and hams. Read the whole story here….
MANCHESTER — On November 21, 2015 the Little Manchester Road Race (LMRR) for children, a precursor to the Thanksgiving Day race, asked that each runner bring a non-perishable food item for donation.
Those items were ultimately transported and donated to MACC Charities food bank in Manchester to coincide with the ‘Emergency of Hunger’ Food Drive being run in six towns over the weekend.
The LMRR component of the food drive was a huge success, bringing in over 1300 non-perishable food items for those in need. Pictures of the haul being loaded into an ASM ambulance are attached here, courtesy of Stephanie Boutot and Russell Jones.
Kyle Caldwell, left, and Dave Tedeschi, emergency medical technicians with Ambulance Service of Manchester, at the 2013 Emergency of Hunger Food Drive.
HARTFORD COURANT
by Jesse Leavenworth
First responders in Manchester and five other towns are gearing up for the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive, an annual effort that organizers say has proven vital to food pantries in the region.
“Many of the area food banks have come to rely on this food drive and the generosity of shoppers to get them through the holiday season,” Skoczulek said.
To date, he said, volunteers have collected about 187,000 food and personal care items, 5,500 turkeys and over $120,000 in cash, checks and gift cards.
“All we ask is for each shopper to purchase one extra item to donate,” Skoczulek said. “Many shoppers go well beyond this and donate multiple items — sometimes even whole shopping carts. But every little bit helps, so we appreciate each item.”
All locations are Stop & Shop supermarkets, except for Geissler’s Supermarket on Sullivan Avenue in South Windsor.
• Manchester: 286 Broad St., Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 21 and 22 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Rockville section of Vernon: 50 Windsorville Road, Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 21 and 22 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Rocky Hill: 80 Town Line Road, Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 21 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..
• Vernon: 10 Pitkin Road, Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 21 and 22 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Windsor: 1095 Kennedy Road, Saturday and Sunday — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• South Windsor: 1739 Ellington Road, Nov. 21 and 22 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• South Windsor: Geissler’s Supermarket, 965 Sullivan Ave., Nov. 21 and 22 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Enfield collection dates, times and locations are to be announced.
“Every year we hope for good weather and holiday cheer to help us through,” Skoczulek said, “but no matter what, we always seem to bring in a big haul for those in need.”
ASM’s Nora Young (L) and Laura McHugh
MANCHESTER — On October 24, 2015 Ambulance Service of Manchester EMTs Nora Young and Laura McHugh set up an “Amb-boo-lance” near Pinewood Furniture as part of Downtown Manchester’s Halloween Happenings.
Nora and Laura gave out treats to the trick-or-treaters making their way to each store and business taking part in the event on Main Street.
MANCHESTER — Year unknown, likely late 1990 or 1991.
Note the Manchester Ambulance in the background.
This is a current ASM employee. Can you guess who it is?
ROCKY HILL — On September 18, 2015 crews from Aetna Ambulance were on hand for the Connecticut Department of Veteran’s Affairs 2015 “Stand Down.” The eight hour event offers veterans access to medical screenings, veteran benefit information (State and Federal), legal and motor vehicle assistance and employment and educational assistance.
SOUTH WINDSOR — On September 10-13, 2015 crews from the Ambulance Service of Manchester were on hand at the Wapping Fair in South Windsor. The event is organized by the South Windsor Jaycees Foundation and is billed as an exciting combination of fun, unique entertainment and lots of family friendly hands on attractions, two of which were sponsored by ASM.
ASM performed a medical standby alongside South Windsor Fire Department partners. The standby served a dual purpose as the children were able to take tours of the ambulance and fire apparatus. Photos courtesy of Cody Lemire, Cheryl Everest and Brad McDonald.
BOLTON — On September 5, 2015 a crew from the Ambulance Service of Manchester was on hand at Fish Family Farm for the Lutz Children’s Museum’s Farm Day 2015. The event, which drew over 3,000 people, included animals, live music, hay rides, bounce houses, farmer’s market, games and farm fresh ice cream.
ASM performed a medical standby alongside Bolton Fire Department partners. The standby served a dual purpose as the children were able to take tours of the ambulance and fire apparatus. The ambulance crew was Heather DiGirolamo and Matt Kleza, the same two from last year, and they took pictures from the event.
Published August 14, 2015 on the Huffington Post. The article used a picture of Gizmo perched atop an ASM stretcher in front of an ASM ambulance, taken at a Health Fair at Crestfield Rehabilitation Center and Fenwood Manor. Read the whole article here…
Meet Gizmo, a 3.5-pound wonderdoglet on a mission to change the world one doggy hug at a time. I connected with Jen Adams (Gizmo’s human) while getting the word out about my picture book Rumplepimple. We appeared on the same episode of The Pet Radio Show, and as I learned more, I began to wonder how such a wee creature could make such a huge difference.
The “Gizmo’s Frens” Facebook page has almost 80,000 followers. Why do you think he has become so popular?
Truthfully, I am shocked at the size and diversity of Gizmo’s following. They come from all walks of life, from all over the world, and they are all there to share a sense of kindness and good will. Maybe people first respond to the same thing I did: his lil’ face and his excellent ears. I think when they learn what he’s about and see his message, they want to be a part of making a positive difference.
You two do amazing work in all sorts of venues. Tell us how you got started.
Before Gizmo found me, I lost the love of my life suddenly. Gizmo, with his gentle, loving nature, facilitated a real transformation for me. I went from a grieving, lost soul who was full of self-pity to having this amazing little creature whom I knew could change lives other than my own. Gizmo forced me to step outside of myself and help others, and, in so doing, he channeled healing in me.
During the very early stages of our journey, Gizmo exhibited a keen sense of people’s emotions. He would seek out people who were having a tough time, and climb into their laps or lie beside them, as if to say, “Listen. I see you are hurting, and I will help you, ok? Cuz we’re frens.”
HARTFORD — This bear started it’s cycle in Boston, MA thank so some EMS people from Boston EMS. It’s job is to circulate wherever via ambulance trips. Teddy would like to visit as many areas as possible. If you have received Teddy, it will bring you good luck…Teddy should be passed on to another crew at a hospital or wherever.
Please keep it going and lets enjoy the travels of Teddy the Trauma Bear!
SOUTH WINDSOR — On July 19, 2015 ASM and South Windsor Fire Department were requested and assigned to ‘Circus Smirkus‘ at South Windsor High School due to the expected crowds and extreme heat. The circus was hosted by the Silk City Chorus. No transports were reported.
Pictures courtesy of the South Windsor Fire Department Facebook page.
Note: ASM is NOT the ambulance transport or paramedic service provider in Willimantic. In an emergency, always dial 9-1-1.
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Submitted by ASM’s Stephanie Boutot
WILLIMANTIC — Saturday July 4th, Willimantic, CT celebrated the holiday with the 30th year running of their famous Boom Box Parade. ASM was proud to be a part of the tradition again this year. It was a tradition that began in 1986 when Kathy Clark suggested using boom boxes while the radio station played the music, when a marching band was not available for the parade. It was surprising success and became a regular event.
I was in the very first Boom Box parade in 1986, carrying my very own boom box, walking down the street with family and friends. Now I drive my source of music and proudly play 1400 AM as the parade sounds “boom” out of the speakers of the ASM ambulance, while I roll down the parade route. It’s great to see how all the different groups that participate and how well received ASM is, with all the waves, excitement, and thank you’s from spectators as I drive by.
For the past six years, I have enjoyed being in the Boom Box parade representing ASM, a company I am ecstatic to work for, doing a job I love. A tradition I hope to continue for many more years.
By EMS1 Staff
HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut foundation is raising support to launch a statewide confidential and anonymous Peer Support phone line for EMS providers by the end of 2015.
The Carolyn Edwards Foundation, a Connecticut based nonprofit, was formed after Carolyn Edwards, a Manchester EMT, was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2014. The initial mission of the foundation was to support Edwards, her children, and her recovery from a traumatic brain injury.
During the weeks that followed Edward’s injury and the killing of EMT Donavan Alden, at about the same time by a drunk driver, it became evident to the foundation that the EMS community in the state lacked a support structure for stress release and relief. The foundation is undertaking the effort to create a peer support line, from EMS providers, for EMS providers, to provide the support and resources an at-risk EMS provider may need during a time of crisis.
SOUTH WINDSOR — On June 20, 2015 crews from ASM were on-site at Stop and Shop and Geissler’s in South Windsor to participate in a food drive to benefit the South Windsor Food and Fuel Bank.
ASM received the following note from South Windsor’s Human Services Department:
Thanks to ASM for helping out with the Triad Sponsored Food Drive to benefit the South Windsor Food and Fuel Bank!
This was truly a team effort with The Fire and Police Department, Explorers, ASM and Triad volunteers all pitching in to help! Geisslers and Stop and Shop were also very helpful with pre-packing bags, which made it easier for shoppers!
On behalf of the Human Services Department, THANK YOU for making a difference!!!!
Andrea