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.”

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 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 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 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.

Paramedics like Dan Cardona and Gwen Bibby, along with Willie, will be on scene for the Stop the Bleed event.

As part of National EMS Week, Armstrong Ambulance Service will be conducting free hemorrhage control and first aid training for interested members of the public.

WHEN:
Thursday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:
Armstrong Ambulance Service in the ambulance bay (rear of the building), 87 Mystic St., Arlington

WHAT:
National EMS Week runs from May 19-25 and recognizes EMTs/paramedics who provide lifesaving services everyday. Armstrong tactical paramedics assigned to the NEMLEC SWAT Team will conduct the hands-on Stop the Bleed training, which takes about 10 minutes.

Through simple techniques, any adult or teenager can drop in and learn how to save a life in critical situations with bleeding patients. Refreshments will be provided along with a meet and greet with paramedics and Willie Blue, the Armstrong support puppy. Members of the public can sign up by emailing education@armstrongambulance.com or can just drop in anytime between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Armstrong Paramedic Stephanie Crayton (center) met with her neighbor’s Girl Scouts troop in order to help them earn their first aid badges.

An Armstrong Ambulance paramedic recently shared her expertise in emergency medicine in order to help a group of Girl Scouts earn their first aid badge.

Paramedic Stephanie Crayton worked with her neighbor, Dor, and her fellow scouts to share knowledge about the types of injuries and ailments she and her colleagues at Armstrong encounter. In doing so, she helped the girls fulfill one of the core requirements to earn their first aid badges — talking face to face with a first responder.

The scouts are all fourth graders from Cambridge.

Crayton told the girls about her experiences as both a paramedic for Armstrong and as a firefighter with the Cambridge Fire Department, as well as how ambulances and fire departments collaborate to help people in need.

Crayton covered a variety of topics with the scouts, discussing some common types of emergencies and what to do when they arise. They addressed choking, nose bleeds, allergies and anaphylaxis (and the difference between the two), burns, bone fractures and the proper recovery position for someone who is breathing but unconscious.

The scouts also asked Crayton about a wide array of scenarios, including what to do if someone’s house is burning, they’re choking and have a nose bleed all at the same time.

“I was so glad they asked me to help,” Crayton said. “The girls were great listeners and had a lot of fantastic questions about the work we do as paramedics, and I’m proud of the work they put into earning their badges.”

Armstrong Ambulance took its new therapy dog on its first community outing last week.

On Thursday, April 18, Armstrong’s chocolate lab, Willie Blue Armstrong, paid a visit to the Arlington Senior Center. He was accompanied by Armstrong HR Director (and Willie’s trainer) Beth Keegan, Provider Relations and Marketing Representative Katherine Aker and Chief Business Officer Meredith Lambroff.

Following an invitation by senior center staff, the outing became Willie’s first official trip into the community since he joined Armstrong earlier this year. During his visit, members of the Armstrong team filled attendees in on Willie’s background and training.

They also shared some inside stories about Willie’s life at Armstrong’s Arlington base, including his devilish side where he once sneaked off with a colleague’s lunch. The group chuckled at the “Silly Willie” stories and had smiles from ear to ear.

“The group asked a lot of questions, shared stories about their own pets and took pictures with Willie,” Lambroff said. “We all left feeling happier. It was a great day, and we’re looking forward to going back to visit as well as having Willie brighten up many more lives.”

Willie’s visit was chronicled on his Instagram account, which features regular updates on his day-to-day life. To see Willie’s Instagram page, click https://www.instagram.com/williebluearmstrong/.

*Click https://vimeo.com/331462468 and  https://vimeo.com/331462478 for videos of Willie’s visit to the senior center*