Year three fundraising for Team ASM-Aetna was a great success. Through the efforts of our employees, family members, and friends, we were able to raise a total of $2,280 for Breast Cancer Research. In addition, Team ASM-Aetna returned for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk this past Sunday, at Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford. Thank you to everyone involved for your generous contributions and dedication to the cause.
EAST HARTFORD- On Sunday, September 29th, employees, friends and family members from Aetna Ambulance Service and Ambulance Service of Manchester volunteered at the 2019 Greater Hartford Walk to Defeat ALS. The event was held at Rentschler Field. Team ASM-Aetna members worked in registration and in the food and refreshment booths to support walkers and assist with the day’s overall success.
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
MANCHESTER- On September 20th, 2019 Bowers Elementary School hosted their annual Touch-A-Truck event. Ambulance Service of Manchester EMT’s Philip Zetterstrom and Danielle Kamenskiy gave tours to the students and treated a special patient, “Chompers” the Yard Goats mascot.
MANCHESTER — On September 9th, 2019 seven EMTs and one Paramedic 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.
Here at Ambulance Service of Manchester, we are dedicated to providing Consistent, Timely and Clinically excellent service to our patients, clients and communities. We do this by providing our employees with state-of-the-art technology, training, and equipment. One example of our continuous efforts to better serve our communities is by keeping our fleet well maintained and up to date. Not only does this ensure seamless and reliable service, but it also makes our patient’s and employee’s safety a number one priority. The video provided shows one of six 2019 Mercedes Sprinter ambulances that are scheduled to go on the road within next couple of months. ASM, ensures that our fleet is performing at top-notch level, with no detail overlooked, including performing all of our vehicle decaling in house. (CLICK HERE for video demonstration). This is a prime example of our continued efforts and dedication to grow, expand, and adapt. Please enjoy the video and don’t forget to subscribe for our latest updates and events.
On Wednesday September 4th 2019, ASM hosted the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce “Sheroes Project.” A total of 75 women attended the third installment of this event. This project consists of four workshops throughout the course of the year to teach women self-defense tactics and techniques to avoid being targeted. These techniques include awareness of surroundings, personal security, self-confidence, active shooter training, and bleeding control. The workshop held at ASM focused on “Once the Shooting Stops… Critical Wound Care.” The women were taught first aid, CPR, and bleeding control techniques using tourniquets, QuikClot gauze, and other field expedient methods.
South Windsor- On Friday, August 30th, 2019, Ambulance Service of Manchester EMT’s Danielle Chowaniec and Chris Tevnan spent the morning at Timothy Edwards Middle School assisting with a week 1 School Safety event organized by SWPD. Teamed up with local first responders including the CT State Police Dive Team, South Windsor Fire Department and South Windsor Police Department, ASM interacted with the children and provided them with a hands-on experience as they rotated through over 10 stations.
“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.”
HARTFORD- On Monday August 28th, 2019, employees from the Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance enjoyed a night of baseball honoring “First Responder’s”. A Post Size American Flag was brought out on the field as part of the Pre-Game festivities and served as a visual expression of support, during the playing of our National Anthem. The Yard Goats pulled off an impressive win over the Harrisburg Senators (5–1).
SOUTH WINDSOR- On Saturday, September 19th ASM’s Elizabeth Dowdy and Jonathan Bush took part in a traditional “Raksha Bandhan” Festival held at South Windsor Fire Department’s Headquarters. Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters, and families, on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana. This festival originated when sisters used to tie a band around their brothers/ uncles wrists as a token of appreciation & love. Over a period, it has become an event to celebrate & recognize anyone working to keep society safe. Ambulance Service of Manchester would like to thank Saturday’s organizers for allowing us to participate in this amazing event.
Glastonbury — On August 13th, 2019 ASM Paramedic Adam Fine along with EMT’s Esther Gibbs and Danielle Kamenskiy visited KinderCare in Glastonbury for “Show and tell”. Adam, Esther and Danielle fielded questions from the eager group of 25 kids while giving tours of the ambulance. Children and teachers had a chance to listen to heartbeats, check O2 levels and talk on the loudspeaker. At the end of the tours the students received official Ambulance Service of Manchester stickers.
MANCHESTER – On July 30th, 2019, Ambulance Service of Manchester EMTs Sandra Parker and Christopher Sookram provided support for the MARC, Inc “Summer Concert Series”. “Changes in Latitude” headlined playing the music of Jimmy Buffett while the Main Pub served up food to match the festive occasion. All proceeds from the concert series benefit people with developmental disabilities in our community. The last concert of the summer will be July 30th so make sure you stop down and support this amazing organization!
MANCHESTER- On Tuesday July 30, 2019, Ambulance Service of Manchester EMTs, Kayla Katt and Erica Clayton visited Manchester Early Learning Center (MELC). While on site, kids were able to climb on board ASM’s ambulance and explore the equipment as Kayla and Erica fielded questions from both the staff and children.
