News

Mohawk Ambulance Service Updates Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Equipped Ambulance

ALBANY, N.Y. – Mohawk Ambulance Service has updated its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) ambulance which is operated in conjunction with staff from Albany Medical Center. With a coverage range of 25 counties in New York and Western Massachusetts, the ambulance responded to its first call on April 6, 2016 and has since responded to more than 100 calls involving child and infant patients. “Ambulance 33” is the fifth ambulance purchased as part of a long-running collaborative project between Mohawk Ambulance Service and the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

The ambulance is equipped with a diesel engine and spacious interiors, which allows Albany Medical Center staff to more easily maneuver when treating patients. A Stealth Power smart-electric power system provides power to Albany Medical Center’s intricate on-board life support apparatuses, two medical grade air compressors to power breathing ventilators, and oxygen capacity to provide high-flow oxygen to a patient for nearly 24 hours. This system allows crews to turn off their engine while maintaining access to the power supply for up to six hours, in turn, reducing emissions.

“This ambulance offers sophisticated NICU 33emergency care to our youngest patients when minutes matter most,” said David Clark, M.D., director of the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. “With the latest electrical, medical and mechanical equipment, Mohawk Ambulance underscores its commitment to safely transporting the critically ill and injured babies and children of our region.”

Albany Medical Center’s transport teams consist of specially trained nurses and respiratory therapists. These medical professionals travel with Mohawk Ambulance crew members to other hospitals within Albany Medical Center’s service area to pick up and transport critically ill young patients who require advanced care at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

“The technology and equipment used to save lives changes frequently and we must constantly invest in our company’s fleet and the equipment our professionals use to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care to the patients we serve,” said James P. McPartlon, III, president, Mohawk Ambulance Service. “We are committed to saving lives and we will dedicate the resources necessary to provide the highest quality care and treatment to those who need and utilize our services.”

Other features of the ambulance include a slide-out electric-hydraulic lift to assist in loading and unloading, an air-ride suspension system to provide a gentler ride and chains that can be added to the tires with the flip of a switch in the event of inclement weather.

About the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center:
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center is a 56-bassinet unit that serves as a Level IV referral center for a 25-county service area, providing the highest level of treatment for neonates as part of the Regional Perinatal Center. The 19-room pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is the only one of its kind in the region.

Mohawk Ambulance Service Promotes Two Team Members to Senior Leadership Positions

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Mohawk Ambulance Service is pleased to announce the promotion of two employees to senior leadership positions. David Gardner has been promoted to assistant director of operations and Nathanael Hakes has been promoted to assistant director of communications.

Gardner has more than 22 years of experience in emergency services. He joined Mohawk Ambulance in 2011 and quickly moved up the ranks, serving as an EMT, supervisor, station leader, and most recently, regional manager. In his new role, he will be responsible for planning, organizing, and providing administrative direction to all Mohawk Ambulance EMTs and Paramedics, and will implement and enforce all policies, procedures, and standards.

Prior to joining Mohawk Ambulance, Gardner worked as an EMT at Empire Ambulance in Troy, and was with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a Public Safety Officer and Sergeant. He served with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department as a communications officer responsible for emergency and non-emergency call taking and dispatching police, fire and EMS for Saratoga County. Gardner also worked for ten years as a dispatcher for the Town of Waterford Police Department and previously worked as a part-time police officer for the Villages of Ballston Spa, Corinth and the New York State Park Police.

A native of the Town of Waterford, Gardner has been a dedicated volunteer firefighter in the Northside Fire District in the Town of Waterford since 1991. He has proudly served as a volunteer, holding every position in the fire service from firefighter, lieutenant and captain to assistant chief and chief.  A vital part of the team, his dedication and commitment to providing excellent service earned him Mohawk Ambulance Services’ Distinguished Service Award in 2013 and 2014.

Hakes joined Mohawk Ambulance Service in 2002 as a part-time EMT, becoming full-time in 2004. He pursued a position in the communications department in 2006 and earned promotions to communications supervisor, communications chief supervisor and, in 2011, communications department manager. In his new role as assistant director of communications, he will oversee the dispatch/communications center, manage and maintain all the communications equipment in the communications center and in all vehicles, and manage and maintain the electronic Patient Care Reports (ePCR) program.

An interest in emergency services led Hakes to become a volunteer firefighter in 1998 at the Beukendaal Fire Department in Glenville, where he volunteered until 2006. His interest broadened to the medical side leading him to enroll in an EMT class at Schenectady Community College and become a certified EMT in 2002. In addition to working at Mohawk Ambulance as an EMT, he concurrently worked for Ravena Rescue Squad as an EMT/Driver.

A Glenville native, Hakes currently resides in Broadalbin. His dedication and commitment to his work earned him the Mohawk Ambulance Services’ Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

“David and Nathanial are dedicated professionals on our team who are richly deserving of their promotions,” said James P. McPartlon, III, president, Mohawk Ambulance Service. “They have each demonstrated excellent leadership and judgement qualities in their careers with us and we’re proud to have them taking on more responsibility by accepting leadership roles as Mohawk Ambulance continues to grow.”

Mohawk Ambulance Service Hosts Second Annual Summer Safety Day

ALBANY, N.Y. — Mohawk Ambulance Service partnered with local community agencies to offer the Second Annual Summer Safety Day to Capital Region children and families on Wednesday, June 29 at Albany’s Swinburne Park. The free event featureed a variety of displays and experts from participating organizations giving presentations and tips on staying safe this summer season.

Attendees learned about car, bicycle, pedestrian, water and fire safety while enjoying giveaways, healthy snacks, face painting and music from JAMZ 96.3. Children were able to take home Operation SAFE Child identification cards courtesy of the Albany Police Department. Free raffles also sent a few attendees home with disaster preparedness backpacks donated by Albany County Citizen Corps. Otto the Auto also made an appearance courtesy of AAA Hudson Valley.

We want to remind children to be aware of their surroundings and potential dangers that go along with their favorite summer activities. This event conveys those messages in a fun and interactive manner, said James P. McPartlon, president, Mohawk Ambulance Service. We’ve added a number of new partners this year and we’re thrilled with the amount of growth we’ve achieved in just our second year of hosting Summer Safety Day. I’d like to sincerely thank our partners for their participation.

Representatives from partnering agencies included the New York State Police, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, Albany Police Department, Albany Police Athletic League, Albany Fire Department, Albany County Department of Public Works, City of Albany Department of Recreation Youth and Workforce Services, Albany County Citizen Corps, Albany Community Action Partnership, Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, Albany Housing Authority, American Red Cross of Eastern New York, and Coles Collision Centers.

“Through collaborative efforts, events like Summer Safety Day continue to educate the members of our community on the importance of safety especially in the summer months as they offer many opportunities for outdoor activities, said Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox. I’d like to thank the dedicated staff at Mohawk Ambulance Service for organizing this event again this year and the many agencies who are working together to promote a safe community.

 

 

WNYT Previews Summer Safety Day

Daniel Gilmore of Mohawk Ambulance Service and Lieutenant Michael Tremblay of the Albany Police Department speak with WNYT ahead of the Second Annual Summer Safety Day.

Mohawk Ambulance Service Paramedics Honored with Stars of Life

Awards Recognize Dedication and Leadership Qualities of Ambulance Service Professionals

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.  Two Mohawk Ambulance Service paramedics were honored by the American Ambulance Association (AAA) this week, each receiving a Stars of Life medal, the highest award that an emergency medical service worker can receive. Brandon Hermance and David Spangler were among the 103 EMS workers who received the recognition at the Association’s annual event held in Washington, D.C.

AAA represents hundreds of ambulance services across the United States that provide emergency and non-emergency care and medical transportation to more than 75 percent of the U.S. population. The Association’s annual Stars of Life event, now in its 17th year, publicly recognizes and celebrates the achievements of its members. Hermance and Spangler were greeted by Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) during their visit to our nation’s capital.

Capital Region first responders routinelyStar Awards 2016 put themselves in harm’s way to save lives and property in our communities,” said Rep. Tonko. “The Stars of Life Program recognizes the most dedicated ambulance service professionals, and that cannot be better exemplified by the tireless responders at Mohawk Ambulance Service. I look forward to continuing my work with them and similar organizations in the Capital Region to ensure they continue to receive the support they need from the federal government to keep our communities safe.”

Hermance began working at Mohawk Ambulance Service in 2011 as a paramedic, became a supervisor a year later and now serves as a paramedic and station leader. He has received two Distinguished Service Awards in his five years with the team. Hermance received his certificate in paramedicine from SUNY Cobleskill and serves as a volunteer firefighter.

Spangler, a Guilderland native, has been with Mohawk Ambulance Service since 2012. First hired as an EMT, he became a paramedic in 2015 and received one of Mohawk Ambulance’s Distinguished Service Awards in December 2015. Spangler graduated cum laude from SUNY at Buffalo and received his certificate in paramedicine from Hudson Valley Community College.

David and Brandon, like many other Mohawk Ambulance Service professionals, exemplify our continued commitment to care and service, said James P. McPartlon III, president of Mohawk Ambulance Service. We are extremely proud of both of them and congratulate them on this special recognition and achievement.

Spangler and Hermance join eleven Mohawk Ambulance servicemen and women who are Stars of Life recipients. Other past award winners included first responders to the September 11th attacks, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and other national disasters.

About Mohawk Ambulance Service:

Founded in 1964, Mohawk Ambulance Service is the largest, privately-owned ambulance service in upstate New York. With more than 40 ambulances and emergency response vehicles, Mohawk Ambulance Service provides Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support services to the counties of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga. Mohawk Ambulance Service employs more than 250 New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians, Critical Care Technicians and Paramedics ready to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care.

About American Ambulance Association:

Founded in 1979, the American Ambulance Association promotes health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provides research, education and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve. The AAA represents ambulance services across the United States who participate in serving more than 75 percent of the U.S. population with emergency and non-emergency care and medical transportation services

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Mohawk Ambulance Service Invests in New Ambulance and Life-Saving Equipment

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Mohawk Ambulance Service recently made a significant investment to add a new ambulance to their fleet and purchased new, upgraded LIFEPAK 15 monitors/defibrillators to upgrade their existing equipment. Including these new additions, Mohawk now employs more than 40 emergency and response vehicles out of its six service stations across the Capital Region.

The new Sprinter ambulance has a diesel engine with spacious interiors, providing more interior height and walk space, allowing better maneuverability for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics to treat patients. Additional features include floor-to-ceiling and overhead cabinets for easier access to equipment and supplies, impact safety attendant seats and a smaller road footprint for better navigation down narrow streets.

Mohawk Ambulance Service annually plans to buy five new ambulances to replace vehicles in the fleet, DEB_0075-1which is currently comprised of 34 ambulances. An ambulance’s typical lifespan is about five years and is retired when it has logged more than 250,000 miles. The cost of a new ambulance, fully equipped to Mohawk Ambulance’s high standards with radio, GPS technology and patient life-saving equipment, is approximately $180,000.

More than $400,000 was also invested in the purchase of 11 LIFEPAK 15 monitors/defibrillators. The new technology and advanced features in this model allow paramedics and EMTs to better assess and treat patients. These particular units were chosen for their ability to:

  • Monitor and transmit vital patient data through a web-based system to physicians at hospitals throughout the region to better prepare for a patient’s arrival.
  • Differentiate between oxygen and carbon monoxide in a patient’s blood, enabling earlier detection of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is released as a result of combustion, such as a fire or faulty heating system, which people can have in their blood without realizing it and can be fatal if not detected early enough.
  • Monitor chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and determine the efficiency of the compressions. Studies have shown that effective chest compressions and early defibrillation during cardiac arrests are the two most beneficial interventions that can be provided and result in the best outcomes. This feature allows the EMT to immediately adjust treatment to increase effectiveness.

“The technology and equipment used to save lives changes frequently and we must constantly invest in our company’s fleet and the equipment our professionals use to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care to the patients we serve,” said James P. McPartlon, III, president, Mohawk Ambulance Service. “We are committed to saving lives and we will dedicate the resources necessary to provide the highest quality care and treatment to those who need and utilize our services.”

About Mohawk Ambulance Service:

Founded in 1964, Mohawk Ambulance Service is the largest, privately-owned ambulance service in upstate New York. Mohawk Ambulance Service provides Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support services to the counties of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga. Mohawk Ambulance Service employs more than 250 New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians, Critical Care Technicians and Paramedics ready to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care. For more information, please visit https://mohawkambulanceservice.com/.

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