“Emergency Of Hunger” Food Drive Begins Saturday

Posted on November 14, 2014 by ASM-Aetna

Emergency response agency and food pantry representatives gathered Thursday at the Hockanum Valley Community Council in Vernon to kick off the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive. (Jesse Leavenworth/The Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD COURANT

by Jesse Leavenworth

VERNON — Emergency response agencies in the region are teaming up again to boost food supplies for poor and struggling residents. Read the full article here…

Police, fire, emergency medical services and Rotary Club representatives gathered Thursday at the Hockanum Valley Community Council to kick off the Emergency of Hunger Food Drive. Collections are set for Saturday and Sunday at supermarkets in Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon and Rocky Hill. Collections in Windsor, Manchester and Rocky Hill also are scheduled for Nov. 22-23.

Now in its sixth year, the drive has collected a total of 147,000 food and personal care items, 4,170 turkeys and about $96,000 in cash, checks and gift cards, organizer Dave Skoczulek of the Ambulance Service of Manchester said. Collections in each town go to pantries that serve those towns, Skoczulek said.

Full article here…

Following are locations and dates for collections (locations are Stop & Shop supermarkets, unless otherwise noted):

Manchester, 286 Broad St. — Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rockville section of Vernon, 50 Windsorville Road — Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rocky Hill, 80 Town Line Road — Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vernon, 10 Pitkin Road — Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Windsor, 1739 Ellington Road — Nov 22-23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Windsor, (Geissler’s Supermarket) 965 Sullivan Ave. — Nov 22-23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Windsor, 1095 Kennedy Road — Nov. 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Update to CDC’s Response to Ebola

Posted on October 24, 2014 by ASM-Aetna

CDC Tightened Guidance for U.S. Health Care Workers on Personal Protective Equipment for Ebola

CDC is tightening previous infection control guidance for health care workers caring for patients with Ebola, to ensure there is no ambiguity. The guidance focuses on specific personal protective equipment (PPE) health care workers should use and offers detailed step by step instructions for how to put the equipment on and take it off safely.

Recent experience from safely treating patients with Ebola at Emory University Hospital, Nebraska Medical Center and National Institutes of Health Clinical Center are reflected in the guidance.

The enhanced guidance is centered on three principles:

All healthcare workers undergo rigorous training and are practiced and competent with PPE, including putting it on and taking it off in a systemic manner
No skin exposure when PPE is worn
All workers are supervised by a trained monitor who watches each worker putting PPE on and taking it off.

All patients treated at Emory University Hospital, Nebraska Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center have followed the three principles. None of the workers at these facilities have contracted the illness.

For more information visit:

CDC Newsroom — Tightened Guidance for U.S. Healthcare Workers on Personal Protective Equipment for Ebola Fact Sheet – Oct 20

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/fs1020-ebola-personal-protective-equipment.html

CDC Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment To Be Used by Healthcare Workers During Management of Patients with Ebola Virus Disease in U.S. Hospitals, Including Procedures for Putting On (Donning) and Removing (Doffing) – Oct 20 Continue reading →

Ebola Preparedness and Treatment by Emergency Medical Services

Posted on October 14, 2014 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER and HARTFORD — The following are a list of documents, checklists and other background information related to the Ebola virus for use by Emergency Medical Services providers.

Ebola Case Definition

Ebola PPE Poster from CDC

Detailed EMS Checklist for Ebola Preparedness

Known cases remain isolated to the Dallas, Texas area and healthcare providers should continue to get their information from credible and reliable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Department of Public Health Provides Update on Ebola to EMS

Posted on October 2, 2014 by ASM-Aetna

The following is a message from CT-Department of Public Health:

To all EMS Organizations (including Fire and Police First Responders) and EMS Sponsor Hospitals:

Good afternoon. Attached is a “Detailed Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Checklist for Ebola Preparedness” issued by CDC and ASPR as well as a general press release from the Office of Governor Malloy on the issue.

Governor Malloy Briefed on Ebola Situation

As stated in the checklist, its purpose is to “ensure the agency is able to help its personnel detect possible Ebola cases, protect those personnel, and respond appropriately.” Coordination and communication with receiving hospitals will also be an important element of managing any suspected cases of Ebola. Please review this information and consult with your EMS Sponsor Hospital for specific guidance.

EMS Ebola Checklist

Additionally, the CDC has updated their Interim Guidance for EMS and 9-1-1 PSAPs for Management of Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease in the United States. The guidance may be accessed at:

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-emergency-medical-services-systems-911-public-safety-answering-points-management-patients-known-suspected-united-states.html

CPR & AED Awareness Week Training a Success

Posted on June 9, 2014 by ASM-Aetna

CPR Week 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.

CPR Week 2 Sponsored by:

Manchester Health Department
Fire-Rescue-EMS
Eighth Utilities District
CPR Program
Ambulance Service of Manchester
ProActive Safety

Snow made for a tough day for emergency crews

Posted on February 14, 2014 by ASM-Aetna

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)– This snow made for a tough day for emergency crews around our state to get to medical situations that could be life or death.

WTNH Some ambulance crews went out with help in the form of a snow plow leading the way. Read the original WTNH article and see the video here…

Kevin pushed the ambulance through 6 to 8 inches of slop on the roads as he heads to a call in Wethersfield. It has been a busy evening for this crew.

“We had a gentleman who had his fingers cut off in a log splitter today, thankfully we haven’t had any snow blower accidents yet today. We had a cardiac arrest this morning,” said Matt Campbell, Aetna Ambulance.

And now they are heading lights and sirens to a slip and fall patient in Wethersfield. The problem isn’t the snow, Kevin is used to driving in it and the plows are clearing the way… it’s the other drivers.

“A lot of people, they don’t want to get stuck in the snow, so they don’t want to move over for you, and a lot of people don’t need to be out,” said Kevin Mathiau, Aetna.

But they are out and they are clogging the roads so for big storms like this Aetna Ambulance brings on more crews and more equipment so they can spread it around and shorten response time.

“We will stage ambulances all over the city, we have 2 or 3 in every part of the city. The crews know already to slow down, take your time,” said Mark Hannegan, Director Aetna Ambulance

Telling an EMT or paramedic to slow down isn’t in their nature, but safety is and as long as they can get the patient into the ambulance quickly they can stabilize them for a long ride ahead. But with un-shoveled walks and un-plowed side streets crews sometimes have to carry the patient out to the main road rather than risk getting the ambulance stuck.

“We had to carry out a patient on a back board and there were 4 people on it, and it was a 200/300 yard carry, and it makes it difficult without any snow clearing,” said Mathiau.

“We pride ourselves on speed, and to get to the hospital efficiently and safely, and in this weather it is very difficult to get there safely so it takes a lot longer,” said

Aetna Grows Fleet by Three Ambulances

Posted on February 3, 2014 by ASM-Aetna

Three New Aetna Ambulances HARTFORD — On February 3, 2014 Aetna Ambulance will place in service three new Mercedes Sprinter ambulances for regular use and day-to-day operations.

The ambulances are not replacements. Instead they are new additions to the fleet resulting from an application to the Department of Public Health for expanded services last November. To demonstrate need in the application, Aetna cited continued, controlled growth, the need for expanded capacity and the length of time since the last application.

‘Emergency of Hunger’ Food Drive Begins This Weekend

Posted on November 13, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

MANCHESTER — The Fifth Annual ‘Emergency of Hunger’ Food Drive officially starts this weekend. Emergency and public service agencies in five communities band together with Rotary Clubs to collect for local food banks.

Further details on the Food Drive: This is year five and thus far we have collected: 108,000 food and personal care items, 4100 turkeys and over $75,000 in cash, checks and gift cards.

Here are the currently scheduled Food Drive dates and times by town. The following are Stop and Shop locations unless otherwise noted:

Enfield: 54 Hazard Avenue. November 17: 900a-400p.
Manchester: 286 Broad Street. November 16, 17, 23 and 24. 900a-500p.
Rockville: 50 Windsorville Road. November 23 and 24. 900a-400p.
Vernon: 10 Pitkin Road. November 23 and 24. 900a-400p
South Windsor: 1739 Ellington Road. November 16, 17. 900a-300p.
South Windsor: 965 Sullivan Ave. November 16, 17. 900a-300p (Geisslers)
Windsor: Was held November 2, 3, 9 and 10.

ASM Responds: School Bus Accident on I-84 In East Hartford

Posted on September 6, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

By CHRISTINE DEMPSEY

The Hartford Courant

hc-east-hartford-school-bus-0907-20130906-001 7:56 a.m. EDT, September 6, 2013

EAST HARTFORD — Three ambulances have responded to a school bus accident on I-84, according to an ambulance company spokesman.

The accident happened about 7:30 a.m., on I-84 west, near the Connecticut Boulevard ramp. Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC responded, said David Skoczulek of Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.

The injuries are minor, he stated in an emailed press release. A small school bus is involved, he said. Damage to the bus is reported to be minor.

It wasn’t clear if the injured occupants are students. Read the Courant article here.

History Competition Won with Hartford Circus Fire Project featuring Aetna Ambulance

Posted on June 25, 2013 by ASM-Aetna

HARTFORD – Up-and-coming historian Sam Porcello has won several awards with a project on the Hartford Circus Fire that incorporated the birth and early days of Aetna Ambulance Service. (Click here for more about Aetna and the Circus Fire). Attached are pictures of the exhibit during National History Day at the Museum of American History (The Circus Fire exhibit was selected to represent Connecticut).

The physical display, as shown, contains a panel on Aetna Ambulance. The project started life at the Regional History Day competition on March 9th at Torrington High School and was visited by Grady daughter Dianne Evans and her daughters. Sam then advanced to the State Competition at Central Connecticut State University on April 27th, where the exhibit earned first place.

On June 13, the exhibit won the silver medal at the National Competition in Maryland where the judges were fascinated by canvas squares with information from the survivors and Aetna Ambulance. The origins of Aetna was read and appreciated by many hundreds of people.

Sam says, “During the interview at Nationals, the judges asked about what surprised me the most about the project, and I told them about the beginnings of Aetna Ambulance, including how the Grady’s tried to conceal their ownership.”

The exhibit will be at Connecticut’s Old State House in July, along with many other state entries.

Aetna’s Leslie Prado Graduates Health Leadership Program

Posted on July 23, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

Aetna’s Leslie Prado

WEST HARTFORD — On June 20, 2012, in a ceremony held at The Pond House Cafe in West Hartford, Aetna’s Leslie Prado graduated from the Connecticut Health Foundation’s 2012 Health Leadership Fellows program.

According to their website, “CT Health established the Health Leadership Fellows Program to create leaders and change agents through who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to recognize and seize opportunities to act for health equity. Every year we select up to 20 applicants who work in fields of influence such as public policy, health practice, health care administration, and other related fields.” Continue reading →

Aetna Ambulance Hosts Turkish Firefighter on Global Exchange

Posted on June 26, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

(L to R): Mark Hannegan, Global Exchange/Turkish Firefighter Fatih Belgin, Graham MacDonald, AHEC’s Samia Hussein

HARTFORD — On June 26, 2012, Fatih Belgin from Istanbul’s Metropolitan Municipality – Istanbul Fire Department in Turkey was at Aetna Ambulance to shadow an ambulance crew, tour facilities and observe 911 calls.

Along with his hosts from the Central Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Inc., he met with EMTs, Paramedics, and Directors Graham MacDonald and Mark Hannegan. They explained the US EMS system and how fire, police and ambulance services work together. Continue reading →

ASM Wins Governor’s Award for Career EMS Organizations

Posted on May 21, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

HARTFORD– Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) has won the “Governor’s Award for Career EMS Services” for 2012. The award is conferred by the Connecticut EMS Council as part of EMS Week (May 20-26), an annual recognition of the dedication and sacrifice of Emergency Medical Services professionals.

Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) Wins 2012 Governor's Award Connecticut

This award was established to recognize and commend an EMS Organization that has enhanced the understanding and support of the EMS System through their public service, community education and contributions to a city, town region or the state as a whole.

Read the Remind News article here…

Continue reading →

Aetna and ASM Adopt Full Battenburg Visibility Design

Posted on January 17, 2012 by ASM-Aetna

ASM Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance in Battenburg

MANCHESTER — In an effort to further our use of cutting edge research in vehicle visibility design, ASM and Aetna have elected to adopt “full Battenburg” design on our newly added Mercedes Sprinter ambulances.

Aetna Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance in Battenburg

Since purchasing the first Dodge Sprinters from American Emergency Vehicles in 2009 we have utilized a custom-made smaller-block “Sillitoe marking” design with 4 x 4 inch retro-reflective blocks (as seen in the picture on our mast-head above).

Research has shown that larger blocks are even more effective in signaling their presense to the naked eye while the vehicle is in motion. Continue reading →

Meet the Newest Members of the ASM Team

Posted on December 17, 2011 by ASM-Aetna

Jonathan Lentini joins ASM MANCHESTER — On December 16, 2011 six EMTs were added to the ASM 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. Continue reading →

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