Volume 40 January 30, 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Vern Hunter, Chairman 4/21/31 to 3/23/14 Donna Hunter Dana Hunter Moyer Diane Hunter-Kranich David Lowell ESOP FIDUCIARY COMMITTEE Donna Hunter Dana Hunter Moyer David Lowell Cliff Carlson Dianne Sargalski Sloane Peterson-Vath Rita DeJoy HUNTER’S OWNERSHIP TEAM—HOT EMS: Donna Batchelder Scott Marotto Christopher Ryan Office/ Administration John Dietzel Barbara Raffile Special Transportation Non-Emergency Jim Baker, Jr. Deborah Elliott Telecommunicators/ Pre-Schedule Josephine Nigro Employee Hotline An Employee Owned Company Published by Hunter’s Ownership Team (HOT) Communications Committee Contact us at: [email protected]Hotlines are posted at www.huntersamb.com in the Employees Only section PROTEIN SCIENCES & HUNTER’S AMBULANCE “HEALTHY CHOICES” MOBILE FLU VACCINE CLINIC Protein Sciences and Hunter's Ambulance announced the launch of their new wellness initiative "Healthy Choices" Mobile Flu Vaccine Clinic as of January 14, 2015 that provides affordable, easy access to Flublok influenza vaccine to people in Connecticut. Influenza is widespread across the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that this flu season may be especially bad because of the H3N2 flu virus that is circulating. The "Healthy Choices" clinic is designed to make flu vaccination simple and convenient, thereby promoting healthy communities. The clinic is offering Flublok vaccine to all adults 18 years and older. Flublok is a highly pure flu vaccine -made without eggs, preservatives, antibiotics, latex, gelatin or flu virus-and contains 3 times more antigen than traditional flu vaccines. The vaccine is made at Protein Sciences, Meriden, Connecticut. Hunter's Ambulance is participating by making an appointment and transportation for a licensed registered nurse to administer vaccine in the privacy of your own home. Serving Meriden, Wallingford, Middletown, Cheshire, New Britain and Berlin. You can call 203-514-5191 to make a reservation. You can also attend one of the pre-scheduled mobile clinics offered at key locations at designated times each week. Visit http://goo.gl/ihnw04 for an up-to-date list of locations and times serving locations throughout the state. Hunter’s Ambulance hosted the clinic on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 on site at building 3 allowing our employees and their family members to attend. Flublok is fully covered by insurance. Clinic participants should have their insurance card and ID available. Flublok is approved for people 18 and older to prevent influenza disease. The most common side effect from Flublok is pain at the site of injection. Headache, fatigue or muscle ache may occur. Tell the doctor if you have ever experienced Guillain-Barre syndrome (severe muscle weakness) or have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of Flublok vaccine. Vaccination with Flublok may not protect all individuals. Clinical effectiveness in adults 50 and older is based on the immune response elicited by Flublok and not on demonstration of decreased influenza disease. Please see the complete Package Insert available at www.flublok.com or call 203-686-0800 for more information. HUNTER’S
Transcript
Volume 40 January 30, 2015
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS Vern Hunter, Chairman
4/21/31 to 3/23/14
Donna Hunter Dana Hunter Moyer
Diane Hunter-Kranich David Lowell
ESOP FIDUCIARY
COMMITTEE Donna Hunter
Dana Hunter Moyer David Lowell Cliff Carlson
Dianne Sargalski Sloane Peterson-Vath
Rita DeJoy
HUNTER’S
OWNERSHIP
TEAM—HOT
EMS: Donna Batchelder
Scott Marotto Christopher Ryan
Office/
Administration John Dietzel
Barbara Raffile
Special Transportation Non-Emergency Jim Baker, Jr.
Deborah Elliott
Telecommunicators/ Pre-Schedule
Josephine Nigro
Employee Hotline An Employee Owned Company
Published by Hunter’s Ownership Team (HOT) Communications Committee Contact us at: [email protected]
Hotlines are posted at www.huntersamb.com in the Employees Only section
PROTEIN SCIENCES
& HUNTER’S AMBULANCE
“HEALTHY CHOICES” MOBILE FLU VACCINE CLINIC
Protein Sciences and Hunter's Ambulance announced the launch of their new wellness initiative "Healthy
Choices" Mobile Flu Vaccine Clinic as of January 14, 2015 that provides affordable, easy access to
Flublok influenza vaccine to people in Connecticut. Influenza is widespread across the United States and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that this flu season may be especially bad
because of the H3N2 flu virus that is circulating. The "Healthy Choices" clinic is designed to make flu
vaccination simple and convenient, thereby promoting healthy communities.
The clinic is offering Flublok vaccine to all adults 18 years and older. Flublok is a highly pure flu vaccine
-made without eggs, preservatives, antibiotics, latex, gelatin or flu virus-and contains 3 times more antigen
than traditional flu vaccines. The vaccine is made at Protein Sciences, Meriden, Connecticut.
Hunter's Ambulance is participating by making an appointment and transportation for a licensed registered
nurse to administer vaccine in the privacy of your own home. Serving Meriden, Wallingford, Middletown,
Cheshire, New Britain and Berlin. You can call 203-514-5191 to make a reservation.
You can also attend one of the pre-scheduled mobile clinics offered at key locations at designated times
each week. Visit http://goo.gl/ihnw04 for an up-to-date list of locations and times serving locations
throughout the state. Hunter’s Ambulance hosted the clinic on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 on site at
building 3 allowing our employees and their family members to attend.
Flublok is fully covered by insurance. Clinic participants should have their insurance card and ID
available.
Flublok is approved for people 18 and older to prevent influenza disease. The most common side effect
from Flublok is pain at the site of injection. Headache, fatigue or muscle ache may occur.
Tell the doctor if you have ever experienced Guillain-Barre syndrome (severe muscle weakness) or have
had a severe allergic reaction to any component of Flublok vaccine.
Vaccination with Flublok may not protect all individuals. Clinical effectiveness in adults 50 and older is
based on the immune response elicited by Flublok and not on demonstration of decreased influenza
disease.
Please see the complete Package Insert available at www.flublok.com or call 203-686-0800 for more
SCOTT WEDGE AND WAYNE BARTOLOTTA 1/14/15: Doug Zigmunds and Joe Modica wanted to give a shout out to Scott Wedge and Matt Bartolotta for turning over a
great ambulance to them for their shift. The ambulance was really clean and stocked the way it should be.
Submitted by, Thomas Anderson, EMS Operations Coordinator
TRACEY McKNIGHT, PATRICK GANNON and ZACHARY AZER 1/14/15: I received a letter from the daughter of a patient transported during December 2014. The daughter wrote to me
because she wanted to commend the three of you for a job well done. She writes, "they are an excellent transport team. They
are all very professional, compassionate and caring individuals. They explained everything they were doing, as well as what
procedures and policies that needed to be followed. They answered my questions and were very thorough in their work and
care for my mother. Patrick was very attentive to my mother and her needs. They worked as a well oiled machine, made it
very easy and efficient for the doctor to do his examine all the while keeping my mother's safety and needs in mind. The
trainee Zach was very professional. I hope that he takes the training that Patrick and Tracey have given him and applies it to
his work ethic. He will be just as awesome as those two. They took a stressful situation and made my mother feel very
comfortable and alleviated the STRESS."
Great job to all three of you, I commend you for caring out the company motto "Concern for Others".
Submitted by, Dana Hunter Moyer.
GORDON REED and DAVID BURKE
1/19/15: A patient’s husband wanted to express how remarkable Gordon and David were during the care and transport of his
wife. He was very pleased with how they took care of his wife. Thank you.
Submitted by, Kristen Cordova, Billing Department
STEPHEN HYMAN. EMILIA COSME and ELIZABETH PEREZ 1/20/15: Congratulations to CDL Trainer Stephen Hyman for his effective training of two employees: Emilia Cosme and
Elizabeth Perez, who completed their CDL-PS testing with DMV where each scored 100%! Great Job to each of you, your
studying, training, and persistence have proved to be successful!
Submitted by, Geri Ricci, Operations Manager, Non-Emergency/Special Transportation
DANNY NEDELKA
1/22/15: A woman from a medical facility in New Britain called this morning to compliment Danny Nedelka for staying
with his client and not leaving him in an unoccupied office. She stated they arrived a little bit earlier than she did and Danny
showed his concern for his client by waiting with him. She said that Danny is a real professional.
Submitted by Marc Gura, Non-Emergency Transportation Supervisor
Page 3 January 30, 2015
Page 4 January 30, 2015
From Your ESOP HOT COMMITTEE
COST SAVINGS INITIATIVES
Hunter’s Ambulance employees can enhance company performance and stock value in several
ways,: working safely; reduce waste and keep it lean; use of time productively; focus on
customer service; and care for our equipment.
Deb Elliott, ESOP HOT Committee member took on the cost savings initiative associated with
paper towels. Throughout the years, paper towels dispensers installed in many businesses have
used a standard size of folded dispensable paper towels. Recently, the manufacturers have
reduced the sizes of these folded paper towels, but not the size of the dispensers. When the
paper towels are in the dispenser and pulled out for use, many times a large quantity of the paper
towels fall out. This is the result of their smaller size falling through the original large size
openings in the dispenser. Consequently, the paper towels that fall out and land on the floor
become unsanitary and are then thrown in the trash. Unused product thrown in the trash results
in wasted spending. This is not a profitable ESOP practice.
A team of employees did research and recommended pricing for new and improved dispensers
with size conforming paper towel products to reduce the waste of paper towels and the cost
association.
The team’s recommendation was implemented at building 4 and we anticipate that the reduction
of waste will lead to a positive contribution to company profitability.
Please submit your cost savings initiatives to an ESOP HOT Committee member or via email to
[email protected] for consideration. Whether large or small, all cost savings
initiatives enhance our company performance and stock value.
Thank you!
Page 5 January 30, 2015
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Keep your car in shape. Have the engine tuned. Check headlamps, tire tread, brakes, windshield washer fluid, heater and other
safety equipment. Keep the fuel tank filled, topping it off before reaching half a tank. Carry a flashlight, flares, sand, a shovel
and spare change for a phone call.
Clear car windows, hood and roof before starting to drive.
Keep windshield wipers and defoggers in good condition. Visibility is not only a good safety idea, it's a state law. A
snowbrush, ice scraper and gloves are a wise investment.
Travel on main routes. The most traveled roadways are usually cleared and sanded first. A short cut down a back road might
not save any time if the road hasn't been plowed. Also, if help is required, main roads are usually the best patrolled.
Ride together to work -- in a carpool or vanpool. Riding together saves money and gasoline, reduces auto wear and tear,
reduces harmful emissions.
Always assume road conditions are worse than they are and allow additional travel time.
Drive cautiously and courteously.
WWW.ct.gov/dot
THINGS TO HAVE IN YOUR CAR DURING THE WINTER
Spare Phone Charger: The cellphone is your primary means of rescue in today's interconnected world. But to reach help you need
juice: A charging cord is a good idea, but a hand-crank charger that works away from the car or when the car battery is dead is an
even better one.
Hand Warmers and Wool Blanket: Your car provides shelter, but you don't want to run the engine—you have a limited amount
of fuel and deadly exhaust may find its way into the cabin. To keep warm, use a blanket, supplemented by hand warmers when it
gets really cold.
LED Flashers/Flares: Battery-powered lights work for hours and are great for alerting other drivers if your car is on the side of the
road. Flares may seem antiquated, but the heat they put out prevents them from being obscured and buried by driving snow. Plus, in
an extreme emergency they can be used to start a warming or signaling fire. Flares are usually sold in packs; make sure you have at
least three sticks.
Food and Drink: It's exceptionally rare for anyone to be stranded during a winter blizzard for more than a day. Long-term rations
aren't really necessary, but keeping a few energy bars and a plastic bottle or two of sugary energy drink wouldn't hurt. Why the
latter? The electrolytes and sugars significantly lower the concoction's freezing point, ensuring you'll still have liquid when you
need it.
Shovel: While it might not look like much, a compact folding shovel is plenty big enough to use when digging your car out of the
snow.
Www.popularmechanics.com
From Your ESOP HOT COMMITTEE: SAFETY REMINDERS
Page 4 November 21, 2013 January 30, 2015 Page 6
From Your ESOP HOT COMMITTEE: SAFETY REMINDERS
CONNECTICUT STATE STATUTES
§ 14-252a. Removal of ice and snow from motor vehicle required. Penalty (a) The operator of any noncommercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1 , shall remove any accumulated ice or snow from such
motor vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof of such motor vehicle, so that any ice or snow accumulated on such vehicle does not pose a
threat to persons or property while the vehicle is being operated on any street or highway of this state. Any such operator who fails to remove
accumulated ice or snow that poses such a threat shall be fined seventy-five dollars and shall be deemed to have committed an infraction.
(b) If the operator of a noncommercial motor vehicle violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and snow or ice is dislodged
from such vehicle and causes personal injury or property damage, such operator shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars but not more
than one thousand dollars for each offense.
(c) On and after December 31, 2013, the operator of any commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1 , shall remove any
accumulated ice or snow from such motor vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof of such motor vehicle, so that any ice or snow
accumulated on such vehicle does not pose a threat to persons or property while the vehicle is being operated on any street or highway of this
state. Any such operator who fails to remove accumulated ice or snow that poses such a threat shall be fined seventy-five dollars and shall be
deemed to have committed an infraction.
(d) On and after December 31, 2013, if the operator of a commercial motor vehicle violates the provisions of subsection (c) of this section
and snow or ice is dislodged from such vehicle and causes personal injury or property damage, such operator shall be fined not less than five
hundred dollars but not more than twelve hundred fifty dollars for each offense.
(e) This section shall not apply to (1) any operator of a motor vehicle during a period of snow, sleet or freezing rain if such period began
and continued during the period of the motor vehicle's operation, or (2) any operator of a motor vehicle during the time such vehicle is parked.
§ 14-279. Vehicles to stop for school bus. Penalties. Written warning or summons (a) The operator of any vehicle or motor vehicle, including an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, shall immediately
bring such vehicle to a stop not less than ten feet from the front when approaching and not less than ten feet from the rear when overtaking or
following any registered school bus on any highway or private road or in any parking area or on any school property when such bus is
displaying flashing red signal lights, except at the specific direction of a traffic officer. Vehicles so stopped for a school bus shall not proceed
until such school bus no longer displays flashing red signal lights, except that a stopped authorized emergency vehicle may proceed as long as
such authorized emergency vehicle is operated pursuant to section 14-283. At the intersection of two or more highways vehicular turns toward a
school bus receiving or discharging passengers are prohibited. The operator of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop
upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway.
(b) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be fined four hundred fifty dollars for the first offense
and for each subsequent offense, not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days
or both.
(c) Upon receipt of a written report from any school bus operator or an evidence file from a live digital video school bus violation
detection monitoring system, as defined in 14-279a, specifying the license plate number, color and type of any vehicle observed by such
operator or recorded by a camera affixed to such school bus violating any provision of subsection (a) of this section and the date, approximate
time and location of such violation, a police officer shall issue a written warning or a summons to the owner of any such vehicle. A
photographic or digital still or video image that clearly shows the license plate number of a vehicle violating any provision of subsection (a) of
this section shall be sufficient proof of the identity of such vehicle for purposes of subsection (b) of section 14-107.
§ 14-283b. Motor vehicle operator required to move over when approaching stationary emergency vehicle (a) For the purpose of this section "emergency vehicle" means any vehicle with activated flashing lights (1) operated by a member of an
emergency medical service organization responding to an emergency call, (2) operated by a fire department or by any officer of a fire
department responding to a fire or other emergency, (3) operated by a police officer, (4) that is a maintenance vehicle, as defined in section 14-
1, or (5) that is a wrecker, as defined in section 14-1, "police officer" has the meaning set forth in section 7-294a, and "highway" has the
meaning set forth in section 14-1, provided such highway has two or more travel lanes that proceed in the same direction.
(b) Any operator of a motor vehicle on a highway when approaching one or more stationary emergency vehicles located on the shoulder,
lane or breakdown lane of such highway shall (1) immediately reduce speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit, and (2) if
traveling in the lane adjacent to the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane containing such emergency vehicle, move such motor vehicle over one
lane, unless such movement would be unreasonable or unsafe.
(c) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall have committed an infraction, except that if such
violation results in the injury of the operator of an emergency vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than two thousand five hundred
dollars and, if such violation results in the death of the operator of an emergency vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than ten thousand
dollars.
SLOANE PETERSON-VATH, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
AVAILABLE POSITIONS:
We are currently accepting applications for the following positions:
Chair Car Drivers
Full-Time or Part-Time.
Public Service endorsement (V) preferred, not required.
High School Diploma/GED. Valid CT Driver’s License.
Training is provided upon hiring.
Special Transportation Drivers Part-Time.
Bus-endorsement CDL P/S
(Commercial Driver’s License with passenger and school
endorsement)
Student Vehicle Transportation, endorsement V
High School Diploma/ GED. Valid CT CDL required.
Page 5 November 21, 2013 Page 7 January 30, 2015
HEALTH & WELLNESS BALANCING TIME (part 1)
Making Time for Yourself
Making time for yourself is probably the last thing on your list, and probably one that you rarely ever get to. There's always someone
or something that needs your attention, and taking care of others is more important than taking care of yourself, right? You might
feel like it's hard enough to get everything done as it is and that you'll never find the time. But there are some very compelling, and
important, reasons to try.
Why should you make time for yourself?
With the nonstop demands of work and family, there's always something to do. Energy is expended on work projects, taking care of
the home, maintaining relationships, managing child care arrangements, and playing with the kids. But where does that energy come
from? How can you recharge your batteries, so to speak?
Spending time alone on a regular basis has been shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure. It can also play an important role in
reducing stress, which can in turn enhance the immune system. Not to mention the spiritual rejuvenation that a few moments alone
can spark.
Aside from the health and spiritual benefits, another good reason to take care of yourself is your children. Chances are you spent a
great deal of time and energy trying to find a quality child care provider for your little ones. Recognizing that quality care has a
positive effect, you wanted to make sure that your kids are well cared for. But who's taking care of you? And how much can you give
your children if your own energy banks are depleted? Making time to take care of yourself will help ensure you can provide your
children with the quality care they deserve.
What does it take?
Taking care of yourself doesn't have to be a big production, but it might require a shift in your mind set. Many working parents feel
guilty if they don't spend every free moment with their kids. The first step is to recognize that you deserve the attention, that it
doesn't make you a bad person, and that ultimately, it will allow you to give back more to the people you love. Have some fun
coming up with something that works for you-and then make sure you do it!
To get you started, here are a couple of suggestions for how to create some self-care time:
Take a bath. Adding candles and soft music can make a half hour seem like a luxurious getaway.
Read a good book. When was the last time you read something just for fun?
Go for a walk. Visit a favorite park, or just stroll around the block.
Make a creative project. Do you have a pile of photos and a photo album that needs to be completed? There's
probably a project you've "put on hold" for some day when you have time. Make the time.
Get some exercise. Not only is exercise good for you, but it helps relieve stress. Plus this feel-good activity is one that
you can easily do by yourself.
Make an appointment at a salon. Go ahead and pamper yourself!
Combine time alone with an enjoyable task. Does cooking relax you? You can always pick something that needs to
be done and spend some time doing it alone.
By putting a little energy into caring for yourself, chances are you'll have more energy for everyone-and everything-else. That can
only result in more quality time with your family. Call Solutions EAP at 1-800-526-3485 for assistance for all of life's challenges.
It's free, confidential and open to your family members.
