MANCHESTER- On Tuesday May 30th, 2017 employees from the Ambulance Service of Manchester were invited to East Hartford Middle School’s Special Education Department, in order to familiarize students with emergency personnel. ASM EMT’s, Kyle Caldwell and Kaitlyn Duley, fielded questions and interacted with schoolchildren to provide them with a sense of understanding of the first responder community. The event was coordinated by Special Education Teacher Christine Sposito, who acts as the program leader for East Hartford Middle School’s progressive “Independent Living Skills Class.” In addition to a general overview of EMS life by the crew, the students received an equipment demonstration, tours of the ambulance, and a mock patient care scenario.
Category Archives: Company Philosophy and Thought Leadership
Schedule of EMS Week 2017 Events and Activities
Monday, May 22nd
- 0730-1200: Hartford Hospital: Annual EMS Week Symposium, ERC 221. A multidisciplinary group if physicians deliver engaging , EMS-specific presentations. No charge, all level of providers are encouraged to attend. To register please email David.Bailey@hhchealth.org.
- 1000: The staff of OEMS will join the Council of Regional Chairpersons (CORC) in celebration of the annual EMS awards at the State Capitol. All are welcome. The Ceremony will take place in the Old Judiciary Room and will honor individuals and services from throughout Connecticut.
Tuesday, May 23rd
- 1100-1300: Saint Francis Hospital Fajita Festival Lunch
Wednesday, May 24th
- 1200-1400: Hartford Hospital (outside of Conklin Building) Annual Cook-out.
- 1700-1900: Saint Francis Hospital Fajita Fling Dinner
- 1700: Saint Francis Hospital Emergency Department: Annual EMS Champion Award.
- 1730-1900 Hartford Hosptial (outsdie of Conlkin Building) Annual Cool-out.
Thursday, May 25th
- 1800: Johnson Memorial Hospital BBQ. CME follows BBQ at CMEC Ammpitheater (the building on the right as you enter the main hospital driveway) 201 Chestnut Hill Road, Stafford Springs.
Friday, May 26th
- 1700-2000: Ambulance Service of Manchester Employee BBQ. 275 New State Rd, Manchester.
If your organization, facility or agency is having an EMS Week event in the greater Hartford area and you do not see it listed here, please email it to a member of our management team, fill out the contact form, post it as a comment, or email it to us at info@asm-aetna.com.
National Nurses Week 2017
Aetna Attends “Touch A Truck Event” in Hartford!
HARTFORD — On May 6, 2017 Aetna Ambulance Service attended a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood themed “Touch a Truck” event held at CPBN Television Station on Asylum Avenue in Hartford. The event, organized by a group of military veterans, encouraged kids to interact with Police, Fire, and EMS personnel in order to gain a sense of familiarity with first responders. Event Coordinator James Reeves’s motivation for the project was “creating, coordinating, and executing a family-friendly event that highlights the importance for children and families to “be a good neighbor” and become more involved in their communities.” Mr. Reeves also stated “we feel that kids should be unafraid of those in uniform to the point that they can communicate freely and openly, especially in times of urgent need.”
Aetna Field Supervisor Matt Campbell, and EMT’s Alexandra Zhakov and Anthony Mazzola provided ambulance tours and the entertainment for those in attendance, giving out coloring books and posing for pictures.
ASM Participates in “Life is a Picnic” Senior Health Fair
MANCHESTER- On Thursday May 4th, 2017 the Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in Manchester Health Department’s “Life is a Picnic” Senior Health Fair. Over 40 organizations took part in this event offering services and demonstrations to hundreds of seniors within the community. ASM’s Kyle Caldwell and Karisa Welch spent the afternoon fielding questions and interacting with participants like long time Senior Center Volunteer Earl Parent, featured in the picture above.
Aetna Company Newsletter
Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of The Grady Report, the Aetna employee newsletter. Released quarterly, The Grady Report will feature numerous articles outlining company news and events, training opportunities, case studies (periodically), health and wellness tips, and more. Additionally, each issue will contain an Employee Spotlight article, recognizing an EMT or Paramedic that has demonstrated a commitment to patients and co-workers alike via positive attitude, work ethic, and overall inspiring demeanor.
ASM at Bowers Elementary School’s 4th Annual Career Day
Thank You- You Saved My Son’s Life
SOUTH WINDSOR — In mid April, 2017 ASM received another heartfelt Thank You card directed to ASM Paramedics Matt Tuttle and Rob Bilodeau and EMTs Bekka Fross and Jeff Hornish. The card reads:
I wanted to thank the ASM team that came to our house and saved my son’s life. You can’t imagine how much that means to my son and our whole family. You are the best! Your expertise and speed to save him was outstanding. Thank you again and again.
A Special Note!
MANCHESTER – In early April, The Ambulance Service of Manchester received a hand written thank you letter addressed to EMT’s Mike Sparks and Stacy DeBarge. The note, as depicted below, is in regards to a transport completed a few months prior.
I would like to thank the young lady and gentleman who assisted me to the ER this past February. They were soothing, gentle, and very knowledgeable. I needed a “life LOL,” and their combined grace and joy did just that for me. Thank you again.
Aetna Assists at “Fire Ops 101 Day”
HARTFORD- On April 10th, 2017 The Uniformed Professional Fire Firefighters Association of Connecticut hosted an event at Hartford FD’s Training Academy. “Fire Ops 101 Day” provides elected officials and other civilians the opportunity to experience the physical and mental challenges that first responders face on a daily basis.
Representative from Aetna Ambulance, several local fire departments, and other agencies acted as handlers walking representatives through real life scenarios.
Please note below Aetna Ambulance Field Supervisors Bob Mara and Matt Campbell assisting participants with the care of a simulated trauma patient.
Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Cody Lemire Completes Precepting Phase
MANCHESTER – As of April 4, 2017, ASM’s Cody Lemire has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves. His preceptors were Paramedic Supervisors Robert O’Neil and Tim LaChappelle.
Cody started at ASM in June of 2011 and graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic program. His interest in EMS began while volunteering with the North Windham Fire Department where he now serves as a Lieutenant.
As with all precepting phases at ASM, Cody’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing him and his preceptors in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Cody the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
ASM Company Newsletter!
The Ambulance Service of Manchester is pleased to announce the release of Pulse, the ASM employee newsletter. Released quarterly, Pulse will feature numerous articles outlining company news and events, training opportunities, case studies (periodically), health and wellness tips, and more. Additionally, each issue will contain an Employee Spotlight article, recognizing an EMT or Paramedic that has demonstrated a commitment to patients and co-workers alike via positive attitude, work ethic, and overall inspiring demeanor. The first issue of Aetna’s employee newsletter will be released on May 1st.
Click above to view!
Provider Wellness
Canadian Paramedicine is an informative and progressive magazine complete with numerous research articles beneficial to EMS providers. One such article entitled “Eat, Sleep and be healthy-a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work,” outlines some of the risks associated with working outside of the traditional 8-hour daytime schedule. More importantly, it provides evidence based suggestions for healthy eating, staying fit, and developing better sleeping habits.
Quotes from the article:
“Exercise can enhance alertness at work in addition to increasing neural activity and clinical performance. Blocking out 20 minutes (or more) prior to a shift will boost their mood and combat fatigue while working.”
“Prepare meals for a number of days for quick and easy access. Experiment with slow-cookers or freeze portion sizes of healthy meals. Pack healthy snacks such as prepared fruit and easy-to-eat vegetable pieces like baby carrots and celery with hummus, or a small container of mixed unsalted nuts and seeds.”
Find the article in its entirety below:
Eat, sleep and be healthy – a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work
Boston MedFlight Presents at ASM!
MANCHESTER- On March 20th, 2017 ASM hosted a Difficult Airway Course put on by Clinical Team Educator Fred Jeffries of Boston MedFlight. With assistance from co-worker, and Critical Care Transport Paramedic Jen Wheeler, the 8-hour course was attended by ASM employees, as well as members of local fire departments and other healthcare agencies. A comprehensive assessment of anatomy and physiology, case study reviews, demonstration of advanced airway techniques, and the opportunity to perform a surgical cricothyrotomy on a pig trachea include some of the features available to attendees.
Fred Jeffries has presented at ASM on numerous occasions. In addition to the airway course, Fred offers an interactive lecture on 12-lead interpretation as well. Please access ASM’s Webpage for upcoming CME opportunities from BostonMedflight and other great providers.
ASM and Bolton Fire Team Up!
BOLTON-On March 5th, ASM employees were invited to Bolton Fire Department’s Headquarters to present to the town’s local Girl Scout Troop. Paramedic William Schnepp and EMT Tiffany Armas worked alongside FD members offering tips on how to work with emergency personnel. Tours of the ambulance were provided as William and Tiffany discussed ideas on how to avoid and prepare for emergencies. In addition, Girl Scout members received a tutorial on different types of equipment commonly used by EMS and Fire Personnel.