MANCHESTER — On June 5, 2014 some 80 local residents received training in delivering CPR and operating AEDs during an Awareness Week training. The mass event was held at Mahoney Recreation Center in Manchester. Instructors were provided by ASM, Manchester’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the town’s Health Department and Proactive Safety.
Sponsored by:
MANCHESTER — On May 13, 2014 ASM’s John Bonneau and Drew Hedberg responded alongside Manchester’s Eight District Fire Department for a 911 call. One to two weeks after the transport the patient was randomly selected to receive a Patient Satisfaction Report.
When asked to use or word or phrase to describe the crew the patient wrote: “Wonderful. Did their job well.”
She went on to write, “Your ASM team were wonderful, professional and caring. I was crying much of the time off and on from the onset to being in the hospital. The EMT with me was extra special. He made me comfortable, asked necessary questions in a most caring way, even asked me how my Mother’s Day was and told me about his. I highly recommend you company. ASM was represented by your team in a most positive way.”
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Carolyn Edwards in a photo taken last fall. She is holding Britton, a family friend’s daughter. (Doug Edwards / May 22, 2014)
HARTFORD COURANT
by Jesse Leavenworth
MANCHESTER — Friends, coworkers and teammates are rallying in support of Carolyn Edwards, a beloved emergency medical technician who was badly hurt in a recent motorcycle accident.
“The reason everybody descended on this is that she’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Ambulance Service of Manchester spokesman Dave Skoczulek said Thursday. “I’ve never heard her say a negative thing. She’s one of those people who’s always laughing, positive, upbeat. When this happened, it made a mess out of everybody and they came together as fast as they could.”
Read the original Courant article here…
Edwards, 36, of Manchester, was driving her motorcycle on East Center Street on the morning of May 6 when she collided with a car at the Vernon Street intersection, police have said. She was treated for head and arm injuries in the intensive care unit at Hartford Hospital, but was recently transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
Along with ASM, other organizations raising money to support Edwards’ family and help pay her medical bills include sports teams she belongs to, including the Hartford Wild Roses Women’s Rugby Team. The team is selling t-shirts with “#Carolynstrong” printed on the back. To purchase a t-shirt or a #carolynstrong bracelet, visit http://www.carolynstrong.org.
ASM employees also have been raising money through “cold water challenges,” which involve immersion in swimming pools and other chilly bodies of water. The company’s president and CEO, Wayne Wright, recently took part in one such challenge (see the video at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolynstrong/1447016028872363).
Edwards, who was born in New York City, moved with her family to Manchester as a young girl and graduated from Manchester High School, ASM paramedic Kenya Russell said. Edwards, who is single and has no children, has been working for ASM for about five years. Russell said the two were frequent partners.
“She is consistently kind all the time, no matter what the scenario is,” Russell said. “We have stressful scenarios, but she’s always smiling.”
“She was like that as a little kid,” Edwards’ uncle, Doug Edwards, said.
Little by little, Edwards said, his niece’s condition is improving. Her great physical shape before the accident and the many friends she has made are helping, he said..
“Between her physical stamina and her relationships with people, I think that’s really the thing that makes her recovery go well,” Edwards said.
When Carolyn Edwards regains her health, friends plan to convert the fundraising organization they started after the accident into a standing foundation to benefit all emergency medical service workers in the state who face similar crises, Russell said.
HARTFORD and MANCHESTER — By the end of April 2014 Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) will upgrade to a industry leading medical device known as the Draeger Oxylog 3000 Ventilator; “the ventilator of choice for emergency and transport ventilation.” Better to have one, according to a Draeger tag line.
Aetna and ASM are entrusted with the safe transport of long-term ventilator dependent patients from premier rehabilitation long-term acute and chronic care hospitals such as the Hospital for Special Care. ASM also provides medically appropriate Specialty Care Transport services to the areas regional hospitals, transporting ill and injured patients to tertiary care centers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Oxylog is capable of replicating complex, in-hospital ventilator settings such as IE ratios, CPAP, assist control, SIMV and more.
The use of Draeger Ventilators is part of Aetna and ASM’s long-term commitment to providing cutting edge emergency medical care and our vision of putting gold standard clinical resources and equipment at the fingertips of our skilled EMS providers.
MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:
The next steps are renovating and expanding the new Dispatch Center, carpeting the main hallway, opening the new main entrance, adding finishes and flooring in several areas and re-configuring the main call-taking office.
The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.
MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:
The next steps are moving into the new offices, completing the new main hallway and reception area, updating and moving the Dispatch-Communications offices and updating the call-taking office.
The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.
MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:
The next steps are completing those items listed above as well as installing and completing the drop ceilings, moving the lockers, completing the lobby area and adding in the reception area window.
The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.
HARTFORD — On December 12, 2013, three EMTs and one Paramedic 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.
Samuel Dybdahl: PART TIME, EMT. My name is Samuel Dybdahl and I’m 26 years old. I am just completing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and seek to further my career in Emergency Medicine. I have been a combat medic and healthcare specialist in the military since 2008 with one deployment to Afghanistan. I enjoy helping others and furthering my knowledge within the medical field; I would like to pursue a paramedic program in the near future. In my spare time I often compete in physical activities including Duathlon/Triathlons, road races and weight lifting.
Ryan Gonska: FULL TIME, Paramedic. My name is Ryan Gonska and I am 23 years old from Torrington, CT. I am a volunteer with Harwinton West Side Fire Dept. and Harwinton Ambulance. I started at Harwinton Ambulance as an explorer when I was 15. I received my EMT in 2008. Shortly after, I got hired as an ER Tech at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital while I was attending classes for the AEMT. Four years later I made the decision to get my Paramedic. I graduated from Capitol Community College in 2012 and I have been working as a paramedic for the past year. In the near future I hope to get my EMSI and start teaching. I am considering going back to school in the to pursue a degree in respiratory therapy or nursing. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, golfing, fishing, and hiking. I am very excited to join the Aetna family.
Steve Spaderna: PART TIME, EMT. My name is Steve Spaderna and I am a new EMT! Prior to attaining my EMT certification I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology from CCSU. I worked for about five years in genomic research as part of a team that was looking at human gene expression for potential drug targets. Then deciding I didn’t want to be stuck in a lab all the time, I spent about seven years working as a drug rep for large pharmaceutical companies. During my time as a drug rep I became increasingly interested in patient healthcare. I just didn’t feel fulfilled in my last occupation, so I made the decision to go back to school with the goal of eventually becoming a physician assistant. Over the last couple years I have been getting pre-requisite credits done while interning at a doctor’s office for required clinical hours. Physician Assistant programs are extremely competitive and difficult to get into, but I am hoping to eventually get accepted. Personally, I am kind of a science nerd and enjoy learning about anything and everything. I watch Discovery and The Learning Channel a lot (Untold Stories of the ER!) and I have a passion for science fiction. For an interesting combination, I also happen to be really into weightlifting. I am super excited to be part of the Aetna team and I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a patient advocate!
Kat Stewart: FULL TIME, EMT. I’m a new EMT I finished the Hartford Hospital EMT program in July. This is something I have wanted to do since high school but I never had the chance. So after I graduated college and worked a few different jobs I finally made my chance happen and absolutely fell in love. I aspire to one day go to paramedic school. At the age of almost 26 I can finally say I’m on the right career path. I’m very excited to be part of the Aetna team and look forward to seeing you on the road.
MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester have purchased new LifePak 1000 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for use on every Basic Life Support unit in both fleets. As one of (reportedly the first) commercial ambulance service in Connecticut to equip every BLS unit with this life saving piece of equipment, it was critical to continue the capability with new technology.
Each Paramedic Unit at Aetna and ASM use LifePak 15s capable of wireless transmission of 12-lead EKGs, external pacemaking, cardioversion, CO detection, non-invasive blood pressures and end tidal CO2 monitoring (specification arrangement also known as fully configured). 
LifePak 15s are used on a daily basis whereas AEDs see use on a rare occasion but have a significant impact for those patients. Typically the CPR and defribillation performed when these AEDs are used is the first skilled services provided to a patient in a life threatening situation.
MANCHESTER — Additions and renovations to the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s main headquarters, known to employees as “10-1,” continue. As of this writing:
The next steps are mainly listed above but include the construction of new offices and hallways, moving the lockers into a new area and completion of a new lobby and main entrance.
The addition and renovation are part of ASM’s continued commitment and investment in the towns it serves.
Gallery includes pictures from last weekend.
MANCHESTER — The demand on local food assistance programs continues to increase for a number of reasons. This makes efforts like the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive at the Stop and Shop Supermarkets in the area THIS WEEKEND even more important.
The Manchester Food Drive is sponsored by IMCORP, organized by Ambulance Service of Manchester and powered by volunteers from ASM, Manchester Police, Manchester Fire Rescue EMS, the Rotary Club and MACC Charities staff and more has raised a lot of money, food, and turkeys over the five years of its existence. It fills the freezers, the pantry and adds money that is so important to help with special needs for babies, diabetics and others with dietary issues, and other important household needs.
We urge you to show up SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AND 24 at the Stop and Shop in Manchester and share so that others may eat.
By JESSE LEAVENWORTH
The Hartford Courant
3:37 p.m. EST, November 15, 2013
Read the Courant version here…
MANCHESTER — Emergency responders and Rotary Club members launched a regional drive Friday to collect food and other donations for needy people.
This is the fifth year of the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive. Representatives of police, fire and ambulance agencies, Rotary Club members and pantry managers from Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon gathered Friday at Manchester Area Conference of Churches Charities to kick off the drive.
Volunteers in those towns, Enfield and Windsor collect food and monetary donations at area supermarkets. In the past five years, the drive has gathered about 108,000 food and personal care items, 4,100 turkeys and more than $75,000 in cash, checks and gift cards, organizers said.
All collections are to be held at Stop & Shop supermarkets, except one at Geissler’s Supermarket in South Windsor. Dates and times for the collections are:
Manchester — Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 286 Broad St.
Enfield — Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 54 Hazard Ave.
Rockville — Nov. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 50 Windsorville Road
Vernon — Nov. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 10 Pitkin Road
South Windsor — Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Stop & Shop at 1739 Ellington Road and on the same days and times at Geissler’s Supermarket, 965 Sullivan Ave.
Windsor held its collection earlier this month, organizers said.
All food and donations go to food banks in the towns where they are donated, organizers said.
“In other words, everything stays local so that neighbors are helping neighbors,” organizer David Skoczulek of Ambulance Service of Manchester wrote in a news release.
