News

MAS in the Community

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.

 

 

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

###

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/.

 ###