WSDK Covers Food Drive. Listen here…
Category Archives: ASM Company News
‘Emergency Of Hunger’ Food Drive Restocks Pantries At Critical Time
The fourth annual Emergency of Hunger Food Drive, a community staple in the Manchester area since its 2009 debut, serves much more than helping the town prepare for the holiday season.
While more than 1,000 Thanksgiving turkeys are donated each year to the food drive, which is organized locally by the Ambulance Service of Manchester, those who see hunger first-hand say the food drive allows food pantries to remain stocked in the slower winter months. Continue reading
Cleared for Independent Dispatch: ASM’s Josh Traber Completes Precepting Phase
MANCHESTER – As of November 1, 2012, ASM’s Josh Traber 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 Supervisor-Paramedics Vinnie Maston and Melissa Osborne. The full precepting phase can take ten to 12 weeks or more as the paramedic is prepped for the realities of the field. As with all precepting phases at ASM, Josh’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing Josh and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
Josh started at ASM in 1999 as a Communications Dispatcher. He obtained his EMT in 2000 and started Capital Community College’s Paramedic Program in 2011.
On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Josh the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
ASM and MFRE: Fire Prevention Week Open House
MANCHESTER — From a card received October 24, 2012:
On behalf of the Fire Department and myself, I would like to thank you and the EMS crews who participated with us during our open house. As a long standing partner and critical component of our EMS [system], it was only appropriate for ASM to be there!
The EMS crews were polite, courteous and professional. They took the time to answer questions, give tours of the ambulance and displayed much of their medical equipment.
Again, I would like to express our gratitude and thanks!
Regards,
FF Jay Gonzalez
Manchester Fire Rescue EMS (MFRE)
ASM and Manchester 8th Utilities District Team Up to Present “People Who Help”
MANCHESTER — For the week of October 14-20, ASM and the Manchester Fire Department teamed up to give Fire Prevention and People Who Help presentations at the elementary schools throughout the Eighth District.
In a letter from the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the Manchester Fire Department:
Thank you for assisting us with our Fire Prevention Week! The kids LOVED seeing the equipment and having the opportunity to walk inside an ambulance. We cannot say thank you enough! I have included in this letter some pictures that you might enjoy.
Your friends,
The Manchester 8th Utilities District Fire Department
Out with the Old, In with the New
MANCHESTER — A side by side comparison of the Ambulance Service of Manchester’s Unit 514 as the Ford model is decommissioned in favor of the Mercedes Sprinter. Click on each picture to expand.
Vinnie Maston Lectures at the CREC Public Safety Academy
ENFIELD — On two dates this fall ASM’s Vinnie Maston will be presenting different concepts in Emergency Medical Services to the students of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC)’s Public Safety Academy (PSA) in Enfield.
According to their website, “the PSA provides a systems-based approach curriculum to teach students the skills they will need to be community leaders and servants. This approach teaches students from diverse backgrounds to appreciate their similarities and differences while preparing them for the best colleges and success in their chosen public safety and service careers in the various communities they will serve.”
Vinnie tailored his lecture to the topic of each class throughout the day, including science, math and history.
ASM at CCC Farmer’s Association Emergency Medical Response Day
MANCHESTER — On September 20, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester sent a crew to represent ASM at the Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Association Farmer’s Market on Oakland Street in Manchester.
CCC designated it Emergency Medical Response Day and invited customers to climb in and take a tour of our ambulance. ASM is committed to demonstrating our long-term commitment to the communities we serve. This commitment includes supporting organizations and events that contribute to the health of the public.
The Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmers Association is owned by farmer members and operates the only farmer owned and operated feed mill in Connecticut. Their farm stand provides an outlet for farmers to sell their product and allows customers to purchase Connecticut grown and manufactured products.
Wishes on Wheels: ASM Convoys for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
HARTFORD — On Sunday, September 17th, the Ambulance Service of Manchester participated in the 13th annual “Wishes on Wheels” Truck Convoy to benefit the Make-a-Wish Connecticut Foundation. Last year’s event raised $50,000.
Stephanie Boutot drove ASM’s entry, a Mercedes Sprinter, as part of her fourth year in the event. Johnny Loukides and his family chose the ambulance as their ride for the convoy.
Names and pictures appear with express permission of the individuals shown. Read a Hartford Courant article about the event here…
Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team
MANCHESTER– On September 14, 2012, two EMTs were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth ASM and Aetna 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.
Steeve Parent: Full time EMT. Steeve, 25, is from Ashford and has been an EMT for just over one year. He attended EO Smith High School and the University of Connecticut. He previously worked for a commercial ambulance service in Norwich, CT and as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT at Ashford Fire Department. Steeve enjoys sports, movies and whitewater kayaking as hobbies.
ASM On Hand at Lutz Children’s Museum – Farm Day 2012
BOLTON — On September 1, 2012 a paramedic crew from the Ambulance Service of Manchester was on hand at Fish Family Farm for the Lutz Children’s Museum’s Farm Day 2012. 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 Carl and Rory Leslie and they took pictures from the event.
Click to see more photos… Continue reading
Manchester’s School Nurses Hold CPR and Annual Training at ASM
MANCHESTER — On August 31, 2012 the Ambulance Service of Manchester hosted the School Nursing team from Manchester Public Schools for their annual in-service and CPR training.
As Manchester is a HeartSafe Community, Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) now have a prominent place within the school system. Participants received an update in the use of the AED as part of the Healthcare Provider CPR training. They also received a refresher on the management of the choking victim.
The remainder of the in-service included medication administration, disease awareness, review of protocols, epinephrine administration, and other topics and was conducted by MPS staff.
Three More Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Ambulances Arrive
MANCHESTER — On August 24, 2012 three Mercedes Sprinter Ambulances arrived from American Emergency Vehicles in North Carolina.
The three additional, unmarked ambulances will be added to the two already being held on-site as ASM. Four of these will soon be sent out to receive the high-visibility Aetna/ASM Battenburg markings, rear chevrons and company logos.
The Mercedes Sprinters will replace several aging Ford models, leaving the fleet with only four Fords at ASM and seven at Aetna as of this writing.
American Emergency Vehicles’ Brochure Features Aetna’s Design
HARTFORD — Aetna’s distinct half Battenburg featured on the Dodge version of our Sprinters was used in an American Emergency Vehicle brochure for their Mercedes version.
Aetna began taking delivery of AEV Dodge Sprinter ambulances in 2009 and Mercedes Sprinter ambulances in 2011. Only a handful of Ford ambulances remain in both fleets.
See the full AEV brochure that features Aetna’s design here…
Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team
MANCHESTER– On August 15, 2012, four EMTs were added to the ASM team. As part of our continued growth ASM and Aetna 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.
Nicole Geier: I am 27 years old and I reside in Windsor, Connecticut with my husband Chris, our dog, Bender and our cat, Fry. I am currently enrolled in the Goodwin College Nursing Program and I will become a Registered Nurse in May 2014. With the Bachelor’s degree I already have in Criminal Justice; I hope to become an RN in a correctional facility. I spend most of my time volunteering at the Windsor Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT as well as volunteering at the Windsor Volunteer Ambulance, where I completed my EMT certification class this past May. I enjoy listening to music, playing the guitar and piano, watching TV and hanging out with family and friends. I love Diet Coke, the Red Sox and anything related to zombies (movies, books, video games – you name it!). I am looking forward to beginning my new career within the EMS field at ASM.
Michael Hoyt: I am 36 years old and live in Bolton with my girlfriend, Stephanie. I became interested in EMS while exploring a career change to nursing. I spent ten years working with people with disabilities throughout the state. After spending too much time at a desk, I wanted something more direct, more hands-on. I missed the personal connection to those I was serving. Since my first exposure to patient care, I’ve been hooked. I received my EMT certification in January from ASM and plan to study for my Paramedic license sometime in the future. I was impressed by the caliber of people I met while studying at ASM and feel honored to join the family. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and travel. I also enjoy playing with my nephews, building with blocks, playing cars, or perhaps the most pleasurable of all life’s pursuits, Legos.
Mikhail A. Khan: Full time EMT. When I was offered a position at ASM, one of the paramedics patted me on the back and welcomed me aboard. It was then I knew I had joined a great team. Anybody can kick a football but only a focused, coordinated team can win a championship.
Having traveled extensively, I have lived on three continents and am fluent in three languages and conversant in a few more. I spent many years in South Asia and East Africa and have traveled in Europe. Listening to Pink Floyd and U2 while hiking in the Himalayas and to Led Zeppelin and Queen during safaris, I am a huge music buff. My educational background is wide ranging, studying in an American Embassy School as well as strict Catholic schools. This exposure to different cultures has taught me that there are far more similarities than differences among people. I am an avid swimmer and an outdoor enthusiast.
My interest in EMS was sparked when I was only nine years old at a swimming pool. The lifeless body of a little boy had been pulled out of the deep end of the pool. There was pandemonium; the child’s family was hysterical while onlookers watched. My father, who had been trained in first aid, immediately took action and performed CPR on the boy who started to breathe. I will never forget how quickly his skin changed from ashen-blue to pink. It was then that I realized that EMS is a field where one can make a difference.
After many years, I entered the banking industry, living my life in a metaphorical and literal cubical. Once I completed the EMT program at Hartford Hospital and started volunteering extensively at a volunteer ambulance, I was professionally and personally invigorated. I have had the opportunity to work with some very talented paramedics and EMTs and aspire to become a paramedic in the near future by furthering my education in this area. I have come to learn that perseverance commands success.
Billy Schnepp: My name is Billy Schnepp. I am 22 years old and from Suffield, CT. I’ve been an EMT since high school and have been hooked ever since. I recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a focus on neuroscience. In college, I volunteered as a clinical interpreter at a primary care office in Willimantic to help bridge the gap between Spanish-speaking patients and English-speaking providers. In my down-time, I enjoy swimming, reading, spending time with friends, and browsing clinical research. I am fascinated by the human body and am looking to pursue nursing school. I would ultimately like to become a physician or clinical psychologist. I’m always looking to further strengthen my skills in EMS, as well as obtain enrichment in all aspects of emergency care. I am looking forward to joining the ASM team.