MANCHESTER — On May 26th, 2020 five EMTs were added to the ASM team. We look for employees who are focused on high-quality patient care, are team-oriented and conduct themselves in a professional manner. Training consists of several phases including company philosophy, quality assurance as well as policies and procedures. As part of our plan for continued growth, ASM is looking for qualified candidates.
MANCHESTER – As of May 5th, 2020, ASM’s Spencer Shirshac has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves. Spencer was hired at the Ambulance Service of Manchester in June of 2011 and completed his Paramedic training at Capital Community College. Spencer’s preceptors were Paramedic Supervisor Josh Traber and Paramedic Scott Crittenden.
On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Spencer the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
MANCHESTER and HARTFORD —Aetna Ambulance and ASM send Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients who have received emergency or STAT inter-facility services from our companies.
The final part of the survey asks that the respondent, “Please use a word or phrase to describe us and/or the ambulance crew.”
Some of the most recent answers and responses provided in the survey responses include the following:
MANCHESTER – As of February 2nd, 2020, ASM’s Nora Young has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves. Nora was hired at the Ambulance Service of Manchester in March of 2015 and completed her Paramedic training at New Britain EMS Academy. Nora’s preceptors were Paramedic Supervisor Josh Traber and Paramedic Dave White.
As with all precepting phases at ASM, Nora ’s final approval came from Eastern Connecticut Health Network after shadowing her in the field as they responded to emergency calls. On behalf of the ASM Family, we would like to wish Nora the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
Schedule your holiday shopping and throw a few extra toys in the cart for the kids at Connecticut Children’s!
Schedule:
Thursday, December 12th, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Friday, December 13th, 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Saturday, December 14th, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Sunday, December 15th, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Locations:
Walmart Manchester – 420 Buckland Hills Dr, Manchester, CT
Walmart East Windsor – 44 Prospect Hill Rd, East Windsor, CT
Walmart Newington– 3164 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111
Walmart Rocky Hill: 80 Town Line Rd, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Wethersfield: On Thursday November 14h, Ofc . DiLoreto (WPD) and Lt. Buonanducci (SWPD), both members of the Capitol Region Emergency Services Team, along with Aetna Ambulance personnel, helped Cub Scout Pack 33 with first aid training. The Scouts learned about common medical emergencies, how to safely help others, and how to call for assistance in preparation for their upcoming hike. The Scouts also toured the armored vehicle and ambulance.
No Shave November is officially here! ASM and Aetna are encouraging employees to put down their razors in an effort to raise awareness for men’s health!
Official Rules for Team ASM-Aetna
Road personnel are required to follow all OSHA requirements and adhere to the grooming policies outlined in the ASM and Aetna employee manuals.
One “Beard” Team Captain from ASM and one “Beard” Team Captain from Aetna will be selected based on popular vote at month end.
Alternates from each company will selected following results in the same fashion.
Anonymous votes will be collected inside dispatch at 10-1 for ASM and Station A for Aetna.
Prizes for the four respective winners will be distributed by the management team in early December.
ASM and Aetna will be contributing to the Movember Foundationat the end of the month.Employees, family members and friendshave the opportunity to contribute as well by following the link to Team ASM-Aetna provided below.
To learn more about the cause and donate to the Movember Foundation please:
HARTFORD — On October 16th, 2019, one paramedic and five EMTs 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.
MANCHESTER – As of October 10th 2019, ASM’s Orlando Diaz has been cleared by Eastern Connecticut Health Network medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that ASM serves. Orlando was hired at the Ambulance Service of Manchester in February 2017. He offered the following sentiment:
“Precepting with ASM was truly an unbelievable experience. ASM covers a large area, which opened up great opportunities for newer Paramedics, like myself. Learning how to work with volunteers and managing a scene appropriately was one of my favorite parts of precepting. I also appreciated the time my preceptors took to share their experiences. I look forward to being cleared for independent medical control, as well as continuing to learn while providing the best possible care for my patients.”
As with all precepting phases at ASM, Orlando’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 Orlando the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
Please see below or click here for the full article by Hartford Courant Report Jesse Leavenworth.
Sean Norton, an Ambulance Service of Manchester operations
supervisor, talks to visitors during ASM’s 60th anniversary celebration
Tuesday. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
From a single “hearse-style” wagon and a crew of three in 1959,
Ambulance Service of Manchester has grown to 190 employees and 30 ambulances
serving the area from East Hartford to Stafford Springs.
On Tuesday, police officers and firefighters who work with the mobile medical crews joined other visitors at ASM’s cavernous headquarters on New State Road to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary.
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians stood by to describe
ambulance and equipment displays. ASM has updated its fleet with new Mercedes
vans, replacing box-style ambulances. Four of the new vehicles are longer and
sturdier, equipped to lift and transport patients who weigh up to 750 pounds.
ASM also recently acquired two “stair chairs,” which allow crews to more easily
carry patients up and down stairs. Along with heavier patients, ASM crews also
have been dealing with an increase in drug overdoses and mentally ill patients,
officials said.
Paramedic Chris Myska demonstrates a medication injection in ASM’s
training room. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
ASM and Aetna Ambulance Service are sister companies headed by
president and CEO Kim Aroh. Asked about the companies’ biggest challenges
today, Aroh cited operating costs, such as the recent $300,000 expense to equip
all ambulances with digital radios. The companies strive for modest growth each
year, she said, but reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid have been
flat for a decade.
Besides maintaining equipment and keeping up with changes in
life-saving technology, another priority, Aroh said, is to encourage workers’
participation in fun events such as a polar plunge fundraiser _ which benefits
the community and the employees. Ambulance crews, she noted, regularly have to
handle traumatic scenes.
“They see so many tough things,” Aroh said.
Visitors and ASM employees at the celebration inside the company’s
headquarters on New State Road. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)
ASM started as Manchester Ambulance with three men _ J. Stewart
Johnston, Thomas Carpenter and Roger Talbot Sr. _ who were based at a local
auto dealership, according to its website _ www.ambulanceservicemanchester.com. The
outfit moved to a three-bay garage at 134 Center St. in 1969 and its territory
expanded to include East Hartford and Bolton.
Today, company spokesman Patrick Gleason said, ASM and Aetna serve
about 1.2 million people.
Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
On September, 15th ASM participated in the “Manchester Police Benevolent Association Softball Tournament”, playing against Manchester Fire and Rescue, Manchester Police Rookies and the Manchester Police Veterans. ASM won 2 out of 3 games to earn a spot in the finals bracket and faced the Manchester Police Rookies to determine a winner. In the end, ASM took home the trophy by defeating the Rookies 9-0 in an epic battle. All proceeds generated will be donated to the PBA.
“I am J. Marshall Thomson and I live in Crested Butte Colorado. My medic journey Started more than 50 years ago when my mother was in a horrific ski accident. If it wasn’t for the on-hill and pre-hospital care of the Ski Patrol and local EMS service, my mother would not have survived. Growing up an avid skier in VT and hearing of my mother’s story I always wanted to be a ski patroller helping others. I became an EMT in 2008 and joined the Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ski Patrol and Avalanche Dog Rescue Team. Over the years, I spent a lot of time traveling while competing in mountain running, ski mountaineering and was a member of the US National Ski Mountaineering team competing at the world championships. Although racing and competing gave me unforgettable experiences and travels all over the world, I never felt the same sense of pride and accomplishment that I do from being a member of a ski patrol team and helping those in need. My wife always says, I am happiest when I have the cross on my back.”
“I wanted to become a paramedic to better my knowledge and skills while providing an increased level of care to help my ski patrol, local Fire/EMS and community. My background and experience are in Ski Patrol and Avalanche SAR, I had never worked on an ambulance for an EMS service. The lack of traditional EMS experience was going to be one of my biggest challenges. With Crested Butte having a population of around 3000 people, I wanted to find a service for my ride time that would have the greatest benefit for me to learn and move forward in my paramedic career. Learning from a service with progressive protocols, high call volume, high level of critical care, longer transport times and highly experienced preceptors willing to teach was very important to me. ASM seemed to be the perfect fit, after speaking with ASM I knew that it would be worth leaving my family and traveling 2000 miles for the best Paramedic field experience possible.”
“My experience at ASM was invaluable. The entire team went above and beyond to make me feel welcome, I was a member of the team and not just a student. Every EMT I worked with was willing to take the time to teach me the basics of being on a truck and how the system works. I was fortunate for the patience everyone had with me and willingness to assist in the entire process of learning. My preceptors at ASM were amazing with an indispensable wealth of knowledge. Everyone had their own passion for EMS and a desire to teach and willingness to spend extra time to discuss calls, treatments and differential diagnosis. My lead preceptor took charge and control of my education making sure that I was learning and improving. He would follow up with other preceptors making sure I was on the correct path, continuing to discuss my progress and performance. I am forever grateful for the experience I had with ASM and I am looking forward to taking what I have learned back to the Mountains and communities of Colorado.”
Ambulance Service of Manchester sends Patient and Customer Satisfaction Surveys to a random sampling of patients every month. The final part of the survey asks that the patient or family member use a word or phrase that describes the ambulance crew. Listed below are the words used to describe our amazing employees.
