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FIRST SELECTMAN NAMES JOSEPH LAUCELLA NEW CHIEF OF THE TRUMBULL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE

Herbst:  “Joseph Laucella has dedicated his life’s work to protecting others and his positive turnaround experience will make the Trumbull Emergency Medical Service a model organization that others in Connecticut will follow.”

March 1, 2013 - - The current Assistant Chief of the Echo House Ambulance Service in Shelton, who has served as operations manager, with twenty years of experience in emergency medical services, is the new Chief of the Trumbull Emergency Medical Service.  First Selectman Timothy M. Herbst on Friday named Joseph Laucella the new Chief of the Trumbull Emergency Medical Service (TEMS).  Laucella is the first chief of the service, a position that was created in response to a system efficiency and operational audit of TEMS last year by the Holdsworth Group.   “Joseph Laucella has dedicated his life’s work to protecting others and his positive turnaround experience will make Trumbull Emergency Medical Service a model organization that others in Connecticut will follow,” stated First Selectman Herbst.  “As we have learned from Irene, Alfred, Sandy, Nemo and the recent tragedies in Newtown, Connecticut, at the local level, we must make sure that our emergency responders have the leadership and interface between services that serves and protects our residents to the best of our ability.  Under Chief Laucella’s leadership, I am confident that we will build an even greater synergy between our police, fire and emergency medical services departments.”  The First Selectman indicated that Laucella was the unanimous choice of an interview panel that received close to thirty applications for the position.

The interview panel consisted of TEMS Chairman Joseph Rodriguez, Board of Finance Chairwoman Elaine Hammers, Aquarion Executive and Trumbull resident Bruce Silverstone, Police Chief Thomas Kiely, Fire Marshal Meagan Murphy and Town Attorney Dennis Kokenos.  “In my thirty seven years in law enforcement, I have had the opportunity to interview many candidates and without question, Joseph Laucella was one of the strongest candidates I have ever interviewed for a position,” stated Police Chief Thomas Kiely.  “There is no doubt in my mind that under Mr. Laucella’s leadership, TEMS will become the model emergency medical service provider in the State of Connecticut.  Joe has proven an ability to turn things around for the better and I know he will do so in Trumbull and I am looking forward to working with him in fostering even greater collaboration and teamwork among our emergency service providers.”  Laucella’s track record in Shelton was the biggest driver in the interview panel’s unanimous recommendation to the First Selectman, according to Chief Kiely.  

Over the last nine years Laucella has served as Assistant Chief and Operations Manager at Echo House Ambulance, consisting of 130 volunteers and 20 paid staff members.  Many credit Laucella’s leadership with building stronger relationships with the police and fire departments.  What impressed members of the interviewing panel was Laucella’s background in focusing attention on emergency management training and emergency preparedness.  Under Laucella’s leadership, Echo Hose Ambulance has increased their fleet of ambulances from 3 to 7, successfully covering 99% of the 4,700 plus emergency calls received each year, using a combination paid and volunteer force.  Under Laucella’s leadership, Echo Hose Ambulance created a regional mutual aid ambulance that backs up not only Shelton but provides assistance to surrounding communities to use when the emergency system gets overwhelmed.  To improve efficiency and reduce operational costs, Laucella was instrumental in the establishment of an internal billing department, saving the organization money while improving customer service to those residents that need assistance or who have questions.  Laucella was also instrumental in establishing a large community training center that provides EMS training to all levels of providers.  The service also provided the community with free monthly CPR and first aid courses.  

Laucella expressed excitement and optimism in assuming his new duties as Chief of TEMS.  “I am truly excited to bring my experiences to the Town of Trumbull and work with my new team at TEMS,” stated Laucella.  “We will work together to expand our service, continue to provide excellent patient care, support our community, provide our residents with training and ensure that each and every Trumbull resident who requires our assistance receives the highest level of professional care that is available.”  Joseph Rodriguez, Chairman of the Trumbull Emergency Medical Services Commission, also expressed optimism over the appointment of Laucella and indicated that the entire commission stood ready to work with the new Chief in moving the service forward together.  “Trumbull EMS looks forward to working with Mr. Laucella, who is eminently qualified to assume the leadership of our service.  Mr. Laucella can expect the enthusiastic support of the TEMS Commission, of our current operations leadership team, as well as of the volunteers and paid staff who have been providing our town with service of the highest quality since 1976.”  Mr. Laucella will officially assume his new duties in the middle of March.