BALDWINSVILLE — After 30 years of service with the Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps (GBAC), Director of Operations James Hogan is retiring.

Hogan has over 40 years of service in EMS and worked in many different regions of NYS throughout his EMS career. Hogan joined GBAC in 1991 as a volunteer paramedic. During his time at GBAC he served as a mentor to many and was chair of our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) committee for many years.

In January of 2013, Hogan became the second paid director of operations in the history of GBAC. Hogan has always had GBAC’s best interest at the forefront. Hogan was successful in securing grant funding to purchase LUCAS Chest compression devices, Stryker power load systems as well as new power stretchers.

The EMS industry has gone through substantial growth throughout his career. Through his research, Hogan led the way for GBAC to upgrade to Lifepack 15s, as well as many new advanced medical devices. Hogan has always ensured that our staff has the best equipment to do their work and keep them safe.

Hogan began serving in a support role to the new leadership team May 1. His last shift with GBAC will be May 28.

“We wish him well in his retirement but will miss having him as a vital piece of our team. We all wish to thank Jim for his many years of great service to GBAC and the community and wish him the very best in his retirement,” said Mark Procopio, president of GBAC.

Succeeding Hogan as Director of Operations is Christopher Cullen. Cullen assumed his new duties May 1. Cullen has been with GBAC, serving as operations supervisor for the past eight years and has been in the EMS field since 2006. In 2019, Cullen was recognized as the Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year by the CNY Regional EMS Council and the New York State EMS Council/Department of Health EMS Bureau. Cullen has been active in leadership in the fire service and has served as Assistant Fire Chief for the Warners-Memphis Fire Department. Recently Cullen graduated from the Priority Ambulances Leadership Foundation’s “EMS Leadership of Tomorrow” program.

“Chris is a great asset to the community and GBAC is fortunate to have him as part of our team,” Procopio said.

Matt Gifford, one of GBAC’s part-time paramedics, has accepted a promotion to operations supervisor. Gifford has been with GBAC for four years. He brings with him 12 years of experience as a paramedic and has been in EMS since 2003. Gifford has experience as a field training officer, BLS, ACLS and PALS instructor. Gifford began his new duties as operations supervisor May 2.