Andy Zanoff named EMS chief; department reports improved EMS metrics and explores quick‑response options

The Fire Commission received its regular chief of department report on March 8, where Chief Joanne Hayes White announced Andy Zanoff as the new assistant deputy chief in charge of the EMS division and outlined recent operations and personnel matters.

Andy Zanoff introduced himself to the commission, summarizing an EMS career that includes paramedic work, quality‑improvement roles and prior city service. Chief Hayes White said Zanoff would start in his new role the following Monday.

The chief and deputy chiefs reviewed department metrics and activities. The department said ambulances reached scenes within 10 minutes 92.6% of the time in the recent reporting period and that first‑in units averaged 3.22 minutes to arrival. Chief Hayes White and Deputy Chief Gonzales stressed that call volume and traffic remain concerns and that spike events can still strain resources.

Deputy Chief Gonzales reviewed recent incidents (a greater‑alarm fire, multiple first‑alarm fires with rescues, a surf rescue with return of pulse, and storm‑related service demands) and described outreach and prevention activities. He reiterated that alternate‑destination training (transporting selected intoxicated patients to the Sobering Center) helps reduce hospital wall time.

The commission discussed potential system changes: adding quick‑response vehicles concentrated in the busiest areas, bicycle medics in constrained locations (noting an existing airport bike‑medic program), and other options to handle low‑acuity calls without tying up ambulances. Chief Hayes White cautioned about safety concerns for putting paramedics on motorcycles and emphasized personnel safety as a constraint.

Assistant Deputy Chief Castellanos gave an airport update: Station 3 is nearly complete with a grand opening planned for March 28; the department is preparing for an FAA inspection scheduled March 20–24; and a planned 12‑story Hyatt hotel near the airport (completion projected 2019) will require further planning for high‑rise response and potential prearranged mutual‑aid agreements.

Commissioners reported on a tour of the Department of Emergency Management communications center and noted dispatcher staffing is a long‑lead issue; the communication center uses a criteria‑based medical dispatch system (MPDS/Clawson) to triage calls and is training a new cohort of dispatchers but said full staffing could take up to several years.

On formal business the commission approved the minutes from February 22 and the special meeting March 2 by voice vote, and later adjourned in honor of Eileen Hernandez and firefighter Jalal Aeney.