Monthly Archives: August 2019

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/