Meet Jeff Kelly, New Executive Director of Cranberry EMS

When Jeff Kelly told people he was applying for the position of executive director at Cranberry’s ambulance company, the reaction he most often got was, “Are you crazy?”

A longtime operation supervisor at Ross/West View EMS and, most recently, an EMS specialist at UPMC, Kelly said he was familiar with Cranberry Emergency Medical Services and its not-so-great reputation.

First there was the fatal car accident in 2007, when a Cranberry ambulance driver transporting a woman to the hospital hit another car, killing both occupants. The driver was charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.

The ambulance company made headlines again in March when former executive director with raping an unconscious 19-year-old Evans City man. There also were rumors over the years that the organization was undisciplined and lacked structure, he said.

“There was a whole lot of hesitancy,” Kelly admitted.

Undeterred, Kelly saw the organization's past struggles as an opportunity for growth. During the interview process Kelly detailed what he would do with his first 100 days on the job, including a plan to meet privately with each paramedic and EMT. The ambulance company’s board of directors hired him June 27. 

Any lingering leeriness about applying for the job disappeared after Kelly met with the board of directors, a group he said is committed to moving the company forward.

“It’s unfortunate that what happened had to happen, but I think the board has done a good job making sure it did not reflect on the organization or the people of the organization,” Kelly said.

After some restructuring of the department, Ted Fessides, who was interim director after Tedesco’s suspension and eventual termination, was appointed deputy director.

Fessides, a former crew chief, will handle the service’s day-to-day operations. Kelly plans to focus on administration, including educating the community about the ambulance service. 

Kelly has been attending various meetings around Cranberry and introducing himself to the public. Township residents might have seen him during n July, where Kelly said he enjoyed meeting many area people. In the future, people can find him or his staff with their ambulance parked at other community events and sports venues, including midget football games.

“Public outreach is very important to me,” Kelly said.

He also has shifted his attention to the staff. Under his direction, the workers have started to fill out end-of-shift reports. He also enforced rules and policies already in place that he said weren’t always being followed.

Kelly said he plans additional staff training and classes on equipment. The paramedics and EMTs have been receptive to the new procedures, as has the ambulance company’s board of directors, he said. 

“The feedback from that has been very positive,” he said.

Kelly said he knew there was some hesitancy from the staff when he joined the company. Ross-West View EMS is known for its strict policies and discipline measures, and Kelly said there was some worry that Cranberry would become “Rossberry”

“But that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said.

Veteran EMT Jennifer Heucey acknowledged it would be tough for anyone new coming into the ambulance company, which over the years has become a tight-knight family. Now that Kelly has almost three months under his belt, she said he is doing fine in his position.

“He’s doing a good job,” she said. “We’re not the easiest group in the world.” 

EMT Bryan Mazzetti also said he appreciated Kelly’s guidance.

“I think he’s new in his position, but I think he’s leading the company in a positive direction,” he said.

A father of two who resides with his wife in Gibsonia, Kelly said he is looking forward to expanding the service, and that goes for the staff and building.

Since Kelly became executive director, the company has added two full-timers and four part-timers. Kelly said he hopes to hire more people. He also will be involved with the township's t, including perhaps a new headquarters near the

“The future is looking great,” he said.