MANCHESTER-On Friday May 18, Ambulance Service of Manchester EMTs, Orlando Diaz and Karisa Welch visited Pitkin Elementary for a Career Day. Groups of students ranging from first-graders to sixth-graders had the opportunity to learn more about the EMT profession in an engaging way. The day featured demonstrations of popular medical equipment and a tour of one of our ambulances.
This year’s EMS week was another great success! Thank you again to all employees for your consistent efforts. You deserve the recognition!
MANCHESTER — In late April, 2018 Ambulance Service of Manchester placed in service a new Paramedic Intercept vehicle. The 2018 Ford F-250 was outfitted with a custom shelving unit, emergency lights, high-visibility Batternburg pattern livery, and reflective rear chevrons.
The non-transporting EMS vehicle will be used primarily to maintain the continuity of day-to-day operations, respond to mass casualty incidents and support EMS staff in the field.
Monday May 21st
Tuesday May 22nd
Wednesday May 23rd
Thursday May 24th
Road Crew Raffle
ASM Employees
Aetna Employees
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.
HARTFORD – As of May 15th, 2018, Thomas Winterbottom has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. His preceptor was Paramedic Matthew Campbell. He offered the following sentiment regarding his time at Aetna:
“I started working at Aetna about three years ago. After spending sometime as an EMT, I decided to start the challenge of paramedic school to further my knowledge in the medical field. I graduated from Capital Community College’s paramedic program this past December. I was eager to start precepting and utilize some of the new skills I learned. Special thanks to Matt Campbell for his patience and knowledge provided during precepting. I am excited to practice as a paramedic and continue assisting those in need.”
As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Tom’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls. On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Tom the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
HARTFORD – As of May 4th, 2018, Sean Howard has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. His preceptor was Paramedic Matt Carter. Sean began working at with us in October of 2009. He offered the following sentiment regarding his time at Aetna:
“I began my journey into EMS at Aetna nearly 9 years ago, and have been proud to see my work family grow alongside my own. Having recently graduated from the Capital Community College Paramedic Program, I look forward to playing an expanded role in serving one of the finest communities in the country. “
As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Sean’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls. On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Sean the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
MANCHESTER- On Saturday April 28th, 2018 close to 30 ASM employees, friends and family members participated in the Town of Manchester’s 26th Rebuilding Together Event. This “First-Responder Group” made up only a small portion of volunteers as nearly 1000 individuals registered for the work day. Part of a National non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together was formed with the goal of “bringing communities together in efforts to assist those in need of general home repair and improvements.” Teamed up with MPD and MFRE staff, ASM partakers tackled numerous projects ranging from replacing CO and Smoke Detectors to installing a mail box, cleaning up yards, and painting a large back deck. See below for pictures!
MANCHESTER- On April 17th, 2018 Veteran Paramedic Greg Derosier spent the morning at Manchester High School’s Bentley Campus providing students with insight about pre-hospital medicine. Greg fielded questions about what it takes to become an EMT or Paramedic, offered tours of the ambulance and gave of brief demonstration of some ASM’s specialized equipment.
MANCHESTER- On April 23, 2018 Ambulance Service of Manchester employees Chris Tevnan and Kaylyn Fuller joined forces with Manchester Area Conference of Churches for the first annual Bob’s Discount Furniture Food Drive. The event was coordinated by MACC Charities Director & CEO Beth Stafford. Animatronic Bob made an appearance while St. James students helped M.A.A.C. and ASM team members unload the donations.
HARTFORD – As of April 10th, 2018, Aetna’s Joyce Valentukonis has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves. Joyce returned to Aetna on October 4th and resumed her role as an acting Field Supervisor. As with all precepting phases at Aetna, Joyce’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing her and her preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls .On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Joyce the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
A note from Joyce:
Hello. My name is Joyce. I am returning back to Aetna Ambulance as a part time Paramedic Field Supervisor after a 2.5 year hiatus of staying home with the kids full time. I previously worked at Aetna for 8 years in both a road employee and supervisor capacity. Despite working part time as a lab instructor at a local paramedic program for the past few years, I missed being on the road. I am thrilled to be back and look forward to working with everyone.
The Ambulance Service of Manchester is thrilled to announce that it has joined forces with the Town of Manchester Fire Department and Manchester Police Department for The Town’s 26th Rebuilding Together Event. Part of a National non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together was formed with the goal of “bringing communities together in efforts to assist those in need of general home repair and improvements.” On April 11th, ASM employees, and members of MPD and MFRE were sent out in small groups to perform home assessments during phase one of the endeavor. Each team compiled a list of projects in order to help streamline the workday on the 28th.
For more information on Rebuilding Together, please click here!
MANCHESTER-On Saturday, March 31, 2018 the town of Manchester joined with over 600 communities across the nation in observing the inaugural “Stop the Bleed Day” by hosting the American College of Surgeons’ Basic Bleeding Control course. This course, which was offered free of charge to members of the community, provided participants with the knowledge and skills needed to save a life in the event of a serious bleeding emergency. Bleeding is the number one preventable cause of death associated with a traumatic injury, regardless of the cause of that injury.
Manchester’s course was coordinated by Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. ASM’s Paramedic Greg Derosier and EMT/Field Training Officer Cory Lachance joined representatives from the Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services, Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS, Manchester Public Schools, and Manchester Health Department to teach participants hands-on bleeding control techniques.
According to a press release available on the American College of Surgeons (ACS) website:
“Stop the Bleed traces its origins to the aftermath of the Sandy Hook School shootings on December 14, 2012. Shortly afterward, the ACS partnered with law enforcement and other interested national organizations to develop the Hartford Consensus. Out of this Consensus (where the initial meetings convened in Hartford, Connecticut), emerged an emergency response goal to improve survival following mass shootings and other intentional acts of mass violence by empowering civilians to take life-saving action when the need arises, regardless of the situation or cause of the significant bleeding.
After recommendations of the Hartford Consensus were released, Stop the Bleed, a national public awareness campaign was launched in October of 2015 by the White House and then-President Obama, with a call to action to begin training more people to become immediate responders. Stop the Bleed cultivates grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency, thus becoming the first vital link of the trauma care chain of survival.”
If you were unable to attend this course and wish to receive this potentially life-saving training, it is offered on an ongoing basis, FREE of charge, to anyone interested. Please visit http://bleedingcontrol.org and click “Find a Class” to locate a class near you.
Above Post Drafted by ASM EMT/Field Training Officer Cory Lachance
Manchester- On March 27th, 2018 ASM Paramedic Chris Myska and EMT Robert Anderson had the rare opportunity to meet a patient they treated one month prior. The patient (shown above), requested to meet the crew in person eager to express her appreciation for the tremendous care they provided. In addition, the following letter was addressed to Chris and Bob for their efforts.
On February 28th, you were called to XX hospital to transport me to XX hospital due to my having had a heart attack.
On the way to the hospital, I needed CPR and had to be shocked to bring me back to life. My doctor told me that I was dead for a good minute.
I am writing this to thank you for giving me my life back. There is no way that I can repay that. I also want to apologize for scaring both of you that way. I am sure that your hearts were beating a lot harder than mine.
I want you both to know that I am doing well. I had two stents put in and I will be starting cardiac rehab on March 28th, 3 days a week for 12 weeks.
Again, Thank you! Thank you!
Photos and letter appear with permission.
MANCHESTER- On March 15th, 2018 the Ambulance Service of Manchester hosted a “Years of Service Recognition Dinner.” The event honored staff members with ten years of service or greater. Quite remarkably, over 50 employees received an award, including several in the 25-35 year range! Without the consistent hard work and dedication of ASM crew members, dispatchers, office personnel, and mechanics, the company would not be where it is today. Thanks for all you do!
MANCHESTER — On March 9th, 2018 the Ambulance Service of Manchester promoted three from within its EMT ranks to the post of Field Training Officer: Bianca Krzynowek, Ryan Bochman, and Kyle Caldwell. FTOs are utilized primarily to train newly hired employees in the performance of their duties as EMTs.
Kyle Caldwell: I have been with ASM now for about 5 years and an EMT for around 6. I started in EMS when I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go in my life or what I wanted to do. After a short stint working for Ellington Ambulance, I landed a job at ASM which has given me a lot of opportunity to grow. I have an amazing wife who has always encouraged me to better myself and been very patient and understanding with all the long days and hours I’ve put into this job. I am very fortunate to have both my wife and this job.
Bianca Krzynowek: My name is Bianca and I have worked at ASM for around 3 years. I am very excited to be promoted to FTO at ASM because I love meeting new people. I also think that knowing how to be safe on scene while doing this job is important and I hope to be able to instill that in my new fellow coworkers so that they can lead safe and prosperous careers in EMS. Right now I live with my German Shepard Toby and my horse, Abe. When I’m not at work I am running, at the gym, snowboarding, riding my horse, or hiking with Toby. I can’t wait to get started FTOing!
Ryan Bochman: I have been an EMT at ASM for a little over 2 1/2 years and an EMT for approximately 9 years. I have been married for almost 4 years and have just become a father to a healthy and beautiful baby boy. I became interested in the medical field at 17 when I volunteered for Haddam Fire Company as a firefighter/MRT-now EMR. I took great pride in helping people in what might be one of the worst moments of there life. Over my time as an EMT, I have learned a lot from those working around me, as well as assisting in the education of others and students. As I join the ranks of FTO at ASM, I look forward to training and assisting new employees as they transition to working in EMS full time. I look forward to the opportunity to share the knowledge I have learned over the years with newer EMT’s to make them the best medical professional they can be.
