Many current employees remember working in this version of 518.
Historical Photos: Ambulance Service of Manchester #3
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Tag Archives: Ambulance companies in Connecticut
Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1”: Volume 2
MANCHESTER — Preparation for the renovation of space once occupied by Marcus Communications continues. Currently the construction crew is working on cutting through concrete and digging trenches to reroute the septic drainage system.
The new space is to be occupied primarily by operational and business functions of the Ambulance Service of Manchester as well, to a lesser degree, by those of Metro Wheelchair and some business functions of Aetna Ambulance Service.
The current plan is to have the main entrance be on the south side of the building with a main hallway through the center. The renovated space will likely include additional training and simulation areas, a relocated locker area, new offices, a medical supply staging area, and two new restrooms. The plans remain fluid. Trenches for septic drainage and rough-outs for the new bathrooms can be seen here:
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- Water leveling the gravel base in a drainage trench
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- Concrete blocks cut and removed to begin trench work in the bay
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- Long line of cut marks from the pump to the current trench
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- Long line of cut marks from the pump to the current trench
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- Fork lift to remove large blocks from the trench through to Marcus side
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- Old Marcus office stripped to the studs, trench in foreground
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- Water flowing to level the gravel within the trench
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- Trench, plumbing and drainage for new bathrooms
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- Trench, plumbing and drainage for new bathrooms
Sequential Line-up at Saint Francis Hospital
A rare coincidental, sequential line up at Saint Francis Hospital’s Emergency Department
HARTFORD — Given the current size of the fleets, it is statistically unlikely that three ASM or Aetna ambulances would be seen in sequence anywhere outside of one of the main offices. This picture was taken outside of Saint Francis Hospital’s emergency department in March 2013.
Aetna’s Steve Matters to Shave Head for St. Baldricks
HARTFORD — Aetna’s Steve Matters will be going “under the shears” to raise money or children’s cancer research as part of a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser.
According to the St. Baldrick’s website, “In the 1950s, almost all kids diagnosed with cancer died. Because of research, today about 85% of kids with the most common type of cancer will live. But for many other types, progress has been limited, and for some kids there is still little hope for a cure. St. Baldrick’s is the home of the head-shaving event. It’s an easy and fun way to raise money for a very serious cause—like a walkathon, but without the blisters.”
Steve writes, “I will be getting my beautiful hair completely shaved for this event. To donate a small amount or learn more about St. Baldrick’s you can visit and donate on my secure site at: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/603588.”
Historical Photos: Ambulance Service of Manchester #2
The cab of a 1980’s Manchester Ambulance.
Historical Photos: Ambulance Service of Manchester #1
MANCHESTER — An ASM Paramedic Unit at a point in time when the company was known as Manchester Ambulance. Note the towel roll head blocks visible in the window.
Words That Describe Us: Volume 5
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 question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”
Some of the answers/responses included:
- Thorough. The [EMTs] were great. They convinced me to go to the hospital and they were right. Nice people!
- Excellent service, couldn’t have had any better. My mom was transported. The two medics were excellent. Michael had my mom laughing and [they both] made her trip so comfortable. I couldn’t have asked for any better. (ASM’s E998 and E741).
- Caring (appeared in six surveys).
- Very professional (appeared in three surveys).
- Considerate (appeared in three surveys).
- Thank you for being with us.
- Responsive.
- Excellent.
- Reassuring.
- Good care.
- Helpful, kind and accommodating. Thank you.
- GREAT JOB!!
- Experienced.
Renovation and Expansion of ASM’s “10-1”: Volume 1
MANCHESTER — As of February 2013 Marcus Communications has moved from their long time home at 275 New State Road to 33 Mitchell Drive in Manchester’s Industrial Park. This move allows the Ambulance Service of Manchester to continue to grow the main company office and headquarters (known as 10-1) into the space Marcus once occupied.
Final purposes and uses for the all of the renovated space are still being decided but current plans call for additional training space, expanded offices, a medical supply and deployment area, new restrooms and a reconfigured main entrance. Below are some ‘Before’ pictures and future posts will show the progress of the construction.
Cleared for Independent Dispatch: Aetna’s Andrew Holzhauer Completes Precepting Phase
Andrew Holzhauer (R) is congratulated by Hartford Hospital’s Mike Zacchera
HARTFORD – As of February 7, 2013, Aetna’s Andrew Holzhauer has been cleared by Hartford Hospital medical control for independent dispatch as a paramedic to the towns that Aetna serves.
His preceptor was Matthew Campbell. 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 Aetna, Andrew’s final approval came from Hartford Hospital after shadowing him and his preceptor in the field as they responded to emergency calls.
After volunteering with Newington Volunteer Ambulance, Andrew obtained his paramedic certificate from Capital Community College. Andrew says, “I thoroughly enjoy being a paramedic and look forward to working with the other medics and EMTs at Aetna Ambulance. I have only heard great things about Aetna and am excited to be working here.”
On behalf of the Aetna Family, we would like to wish Andrew the best of luck and say we are very proud to have such skilled professionals on staff.
Rockville High School Students Shadow EMS Providers at ASM
MANCHESTER — Students from Rockville High School (RHS) spent the day “learning by doing” by riding-along with EMTs from the Ambulance Service of Manchester.
As part of an ongoing partnership, three Rockville Rams learned first-hand whether a career in medicine, or specifically a career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is right for them. They were assigned to an EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic level 
ambulance a five hour job shadow experience. During that time they toured the facility, were shown the ambulance and equipment and went on real 911 calls and inter-facility transports. Through this they witnessed the day-to-day activities of an EMT in commercial EMS.
EMS careers draw interest from young people who want and feel they need variation in their day-to-day. Often they do not know what they ultimately want to do but they are usually quite sure they do not want to work in a 
static environment such as a cubicle. Often those who are looking for a career in medicine shadow in EMS to see the leading edge of the emergency care system.
One student was back for her second year and among another student’s goals for the day was to deliver a baby. Check back to see what happens!
Kudos from the Cath Lab: Volume 5 – Update
An update was received to the story found here in the form of an email directly from the patient:
“You and you partners responded to a 911 call at my house. I was having a massive heart attack. I only remember being carried down the stairs. Thanks to you and your partners, I’m here at home about to have my 33 year [anniversary] with my wife to celebrate. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The original story:
According to Aetna Ambulance Service Supervisor Paramedic Joyce Valentukonis:
- Assigned to Aetna 201, Alpha/Monitor 6,
- The 12-lead was transmitted with success and then a radio patch notifying of a STEMI alert was given.
- Just prior to arriving the patient went into cardiac arrest.
- The patient was resuscitated upon arrival of parking lot (eyes open and talking). In the hallway, patient went into cardiac arrest again.
- As of today: patient is extubated and talking.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): EMS-to-balloon time: 61 minutes.
The patient’s spouse returned a Patient Satisfaction Survey with perfect scores and a note that says, “Thank you for saving my husband’s life.”
Words That Describe Us: Volume 4
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 question in the survey asks “Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service?” And, “Please use one word to describe us.”
Some of the answers/responses included:
- Excellent.
- Lifesavers.
- Extremely professional team and very caring for me as a patient and my family.
- All areas were excellent – the two ambulance men we’re wonderful!! The very best! Please tell them so.
- Staff was very efficient, concerned and competent. Thank you.
- Thanks for the awesome care you gave my son.
EMS is often a thankless field. We feel that expressions of appreciation deserve to be shared and constructive comments deserve to be acted upon. An effort is made to share positive and/or constructive comments with the field staff and with the public we serve. Some of the other responses we have received are highlighted throughout our blog and on our website.
If we have treated you and you would like to request a blank survey please call our office at (860) 647-9798 or send your comments to us at PO Box 300, Manchester, CT 06045-0300. Or, simply click the Leave a Reply link below.
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State Police Toy Drive: Gallery
HARTFORD — Aetna Ambulance and the Ambulance Service of Manchester were part of the team in the 16th Annual Connecticut State Police “Stuff-a-Cruiser” Toy Drive. The Toy Drive aims to provide a toy to each child seen at Connecticut Children’s throughout the year. This year’s haul was over $10,000 in cash for Child Life Services and over 50,000 toys.
Click Continue Reading for more photos…
A Tiered System: Volume Two
Why did the EMTs (ambulance) and Paramedics arrive separately?
EMTs are able to perform a specific set of skills that do not include such advanced treatments as IVs, EKG heart monitoring, IV medications, advanced airway techniques, nebulizers and more. Paramedics are required in the treatment of patients with chest pain, difficulty breathing, altered mental status, severe accidents and injuries and many other types of medical emergencies.
Simply put, when a 911 call is received that meets certain criteria, an EMT level ambulance (BLS) and a paramedic service (ALS) are dispatched simultaneously. Upon arrival, if the patient needs any of the treatment listed above, the paramedic will then ride Continue reading