Category Archives: News

Armstrong Ambulance Takes Part in Crash Simulation at Hanscom Field

Armstrong Ambulance provided several vehicles and first responders for a training drill at Hanscom Field Wednesday.

Armstrong Ambulance provided several vehicles and first responders for a training drill at Hanscom Field Wednesday.

Several Armstrong Ambulance first responders joined colleagues from peer agencies in the area for an emergency response exercise at Hanscom Field in Bedford on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Armstrong dedicated four responding and transporting units to the drill, which simulated an aborted takeoff resulting in fire and multiple casualties. As part of the exercise, paramedics and EMTs rescued mock victims and, in the case of a few, transported them a short distance in order to simulate transport communication operations.

Over 40 volunteers from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and airport agencies acted as mock victims for the exercise, while representatives from MassPort Fire Rescue, the FBI, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Air Force, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Region 1, Metro Boston EMS Council Region 4, the Bedford, Lexington and Lincoln Fire Departments, the Concord Police and Fire Departments and Lahey Hospital all took part.

“These kinds of live training programs help our paramedics and EMTs stay sharp and prepared for any kind of emergency,” Armstrong CEO Rich Raymond said. “I want to thank everyone who contributed to making this exercise possible and thank all of the agencies who worked collaboratively, drawing upon their individual expertise to create and respond to a very lifelike scenario.”

Armstrong has been the preferred ambulance provider for Hanscom Air Force Base since 2016.

Armstrong Paramedic Lori Beth Sterling-Elliot and EMT Jessica Phinney coordinating “victim” triage at the aircraft scene

Armstrong Paramedic Lori Beth Sterling-Elliot and EMT Jessica Phinney coordinating “victim” triage at the aircraft scene


Fasten Your Pink Ribbon, It’s October!

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The 1st of October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To show our support and increase awareness about the importance of mammograms, early detection and treatment, Armstrong team members will be sporting pink ribbon pins in addition to their uniforms.

Join the cause and think pink!


The Critical Importance of Organ Donation

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Ahead of its annual fundraiser, New England Donor Services and Armstrong Ambulance are drawing upon their existing partnership to bring attention to the critical importance organ donors play in saving the lives of others in need.

Armstrong and NEDS enjoy a close partnership that has helped facilitate the transport of over 200 donor organs per year — plus transplant teams — from donor hospitals to transplant centers in time for lifesaving procedures to occur.

“It’s so eye-opening to see how much of a difference NEDS makes in so many lives, which is a direct byproduct of the amazing people who work there. Every single person in the organization is dedicated, compassionate, kind and so skilled at working in such an essential field,” Armstrong Chief Business Officer Meredith Lambroff said. “The end of life is extremely difficult for donor families, no matter the circumstances, but the way the NEDS team works with them and emphasizes the lifesaving impact their loved ones have is truly inspiring.”

Through their partnership, Armstrong has ambulances at the ready to pick up donated organs and rush them to recipients, often transporting the donated organs and surgical teams from an airport directly to the operating room doors where a recipient is waiting.

“Registering as an organ and tissue donor is a selfless decision ,” NEDS President and CEO Alexandra K. Glazier said. “By doing so, people are ensuring that even when their life ends, they can help extend and improve the quality of life for a stranger, and there’s no gift more priceless than that.”

NEDS is hosting its annual Blue and Green Walk in Boston this weekend to raise awareness of the critical difference organ donors make in the lives of others. Thousands of lives are changed each year through organ donation, and the Blue and Green Walk helps raise essential funds and awareness for that effort. Armstrong will have one of its ambulances on hand at the event for children and families to explore firsthand.

This year’s walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 14, at 8 a.m. at Artesani Park, 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. For more information about the event, click here. The walk has so far raised $96,300 toward its ultimate goal of $110,000.

New England Donor Services coordinates organ and tissue donation in the six New England states and Bermuda. Through its two affiliated organ procurement organizations, Life Choice Donor Services ( LCDS ) and New England Organ Bank (NEOB) and its centralized tissue donation services operation, NEDS serves thousands of donor families each year who have generously made the decision to donate and honors the wishes of those who registered as donors and gave the gift of life.


College Football Is Back!

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Armstrong crews kicked off the 2019 football season at Boston College’s home opener on Saturday, August 31st. This fall, we proudly celebrate our 11th year as the EMS provider for Boston College. Congratulations to BC on the win over Virginia Tech and great job to our crews who ensured the safety of the players and spectators during the game.

We look forward to the rest of the season!

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Armstrong Ambulance Leads Lifesaving Class at Inaugural Boston College Police Youth Academy

Armstrong's Larry LeDoux shares lifesaving techniques with Boston College Police Youth Academy cadets.

Armstrong’s Larry LeDoux shares lifesaving techniques with Boston College Police Youth Academy cadets.

Armstrong Ambulance Service took part in last week’s Boston College Youth Police Academy, teaching cadets critical lifesaving skills.

On Friday, Aug. 9, Armstrong Training Coordinator Larry LeDoux and Director of Operations Sean Mangan visited the youth academy and worked with the young cadets to teach hands-only CPR and Stop the Bleed techniques.

The 18 cadets who took part in the academy are now equipped with essential, time-sensitive lifesaving skills that could be applied in a variety of emergency situations, including cardiac arrest and injury-related incidents, prior to the arrival of first responders.

During the training session, the cadets broke off into specialized groups to take part in hands-on instruction on resuscitation and blood loss prevention, under the guidance of LeDoux and Mangan, as well as instructors from the Boston College Police Department. The cadets comprised the BC Police Department’s inaugural academy class.

“These skills are critical ones that could benefit anyone at any time,” Armstrong CEO Rich Raymond said. “We’re proud to support Boston College’s inaugural youth academy and share these lifesaving techniques with young cadets so that they can be prepared to act in any number scenarios where every second counts.”

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Awareness Is The Greatest Agent For Change

Armstrong BLS Training Coordinator Larry LeDoux instructing the occupational violence awareness and self-defense course

Armstrong BLS Training Coordinator Larry LeDoux instructing the occupational violence awareness and self-defense course

Violence in healthcare is a topic which is seldom discussed yet a real threat in caring for patients. After the recent assault on a Boston EMS provider, Armstrong Ambulance Service developed an occupational violence awareness and self-defense course that focuses on providing EMS responders and Firefighters the skills needed to defend themselves in the field. The training course addresses on-scene safety and security, including recognizing cues given by patients or bystanders that indicate the possibility of an assault or danger as well as appropriate defensive tactics providers can take and the legal obligations of their roles.

The first of these training courses was held on Tuesday, July 30th at the Saugus Public Safety Building. Armstrong Ambulance Service clinicians, Saugus Firefighters and other local first responder agencies gathered to share personal experiences they’ve encountered while on the job and discuss best practices to not only keep the public safe but ensure their own safety and well-being.

This awareness is a reminder of how regularly EMS providers, fire personnel and other healthcare providers insert themselves into potentially volatile situations and the unforeseen dangers of their professions.

Armstrong Ambulance Service plans to hold more situational awareness and self-defense education in the upcoming weeks.

Media coverage of the Saugus training can be found below

Channel 7 News:
https://whdh.com/news/this-is-a-dangerous-job-ambulance-company-teaches-first-responders-self-defense-in-saugus/

Boston Herald Article:
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/07/29/attacks-on-emts-prompt-self-defense-class/


Armstrong Ambulance Earns Renewed National Accreditation

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Armstrong Ambulance has retained its national accreditation through through the summer of 2022.

Armstrong Ambulance Service is pleased to announce that it has earned a new three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services.

Armstrong is one of only four ambulance services in Massachusetts that has earned CAAS accreditation, and is one of 180 nationwide to achieve the accolade. It first earned accreditation in 2013 and is now accredited through 2022.

Obtaining and maintaining accreditation requires adherence to an extensive set of rigorous industry standards, as evaluated by an independent team of experts in emergency medical services. Accreditation solidifies Armstrong’s status as one of the elite EMS providers in Massachusetts and the U.S.

“Our entire team is committed to providing the highest possible quality of patient care and service, and our accreditation is an important reflection of that commitment,” Armstrong CEO Rich Raymond said. “I’m proud of the sustained effort by everyone at Armstrong that made this possible.”

The commission emphasizes high-quality patient care and addresses that core requirement by establishing standards of treatment. It also evaluates an ambulance service’s entire operation, including its relationships with other agencies, the general public, employees and the medical community. CAAS accreditation is considered the “gold standard” for ambulance services.

Armstrong earned re-accreditation following a stringent offsite assessment of polices, processes and protocols as well as a two-day on-site review by members of the CAAS accreditation panel in early June.


Armstrong Paramedic and EMT Receive National Recognition at Stars of Life Banquet

Armstrong Paramedic John Sossei and EMT Ron Keech were recognized at the American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life banquet.

Armstrong Paramedic John Sossei and EMT Ron Keech were recognized at the American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life banquet.

From June 23-26, Armstrong Paramedic John Sossei and EMT Ron Keech visited Washington, D.C., and were honored for their extraordinary efforts and contributions to the field of emergency medicine.

The American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life program celebrates the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession. Each June, The American Ambulance Association honors and recognizes Star of Life recipients from around the country who were nominated by their colleagues, peers and people they work with, who believe they are superb EMS practitioners.

Keech has been with Armstrong for five years and in that time has established himself as a leader, mentor and role model for his colleagues. He’s also regularly commended by patients and their family members for his kind, compassionate approach to helping those in need.

“Ron places high importance on every interaction he has, whether it’s with colleagues here at Armstrong or with patients and family members while responding to calls,” Armstrong CEO Rich Raymond said. “He truly represents what it means to go above and beyond in his role by applying a personal touch to his work with our patients, as well as by taking on various leadership responsibilities that make us all better at our jobs.”

Sossei joined Armstrong after serving as a non-commissioned officer in the Air Force and later as a paramedic in California. His work ethic, command presence, and kind, firm, and honest demeanor have set a positive example for his Armstrong teammates. Sossei has quickly advanced throughout his career as a seasoned and astute clinician, peer leader, Field Training Officer and AHA instructor.

“John is the consummate paramedic professional who is able to handle any situation with the care and attention it deserves,” Raymond said. “He is an open-minded and vocal leader who is a truly gifted member of our team, and he’s extremely deserving of this honor.”

The Stars of Life awards ceremony served as the culmination of a three-day visit to Washington D.C. that included meetings with Sen. Edward Markey and Rep. Katherine Clark, where they discussed relevant legislative initiatives.


Armstrong Ambulance EMTs Take Part in Water Rescue Training

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Armstrong EMTs Nick Landry and Stephanie Gleason with DCR lifeguards Brandon DeCleene, Aiden Hill, Sophia Leuci, Jackie Leuci, Lexi Bogosian, Erika Glowik, Shannon Daly and Zara Powell.

Armstrong Ambulance Service took part in extensive water rescue training exercises this week.

Along with colleagues from the Saugus and Lynn Fire Departments, Stoneham Police/Fire Dive Team and lifeguards from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Armstrong EMTs took part in a wide-ranging live water rescue training program at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.

Armstrong EMTs provided land-based EMS support while lifeguards and fellow first responders underwent hands-on training to understand their roles in rescuing a swimmer in distress. The drills included the use of water craft, rescue scuba divers and posted lifeguards, and focused on multiple hazardous conditions on the water.

Various first responders were tasked with identifying a potential victim, locating and rescuing that victim and providing an area for firefighters and divers to attempt a rescue or recovery.

“Our EMTs need to be prepared to support their fellow first responders in a wide variety of emergency scenarios,” Armstrong CEO Rich Raymond said. “I’m glad that we had an opportunity to participate in this highly realistic training exercise so that our EMTs and other participants could have the chance to better understand their roles in water-based situations and further improve their preparedness.”


Armstrong Ambulance Hosts Stop the Bleed Training Program

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Armstrong Ambulance Service Inc. is pleased to announce that members of its team shared their insight into the field of emergency medicine with a group of students at a Stop the Bleed training event late last month.

Armstrong Ambulance hosted the free hemorrhage control and first aid training in recognition of National EMS week on Thursday, May 23 at the Armstrong Ambulance Service ambulance bay on Mystic Street. A group of 15 students from Medford Vocational Technical High School’s Health Assisting program attended the event.

Armstrong tactical paramedics assigned to the NEMLEC SWAT Team led the training, during which students took part in hands-on exercises. Students practiced stopping a bleed by wrapping tourniquets on rubber tubes that sprayed water until they were properly tied off, allowing students to witness first hand whether their technique was correct and effective. During the training, students also reviewed proper CPR, AED and choke save techniques on infant and adult mannequins, and were shown by a paramedic how to properly intubate a patient.

“The students that attended this training were attentive, eager to learn and excited about the field of emergency medical services,” said Armstrong Chief Business Officer Meredith Lambroff. “It was exciting for our team to teach them these lifesaving procedures and provide some insight into the careers available in the field of EMS.”

In addition to the training, students learned about EMS careers from paramedics during a meet and greet. The highlight of the day, however, was when students met Willie Blue, Armstrong’s new support puppy.

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