Team/Leadership

Michael Thomas

Director

Director Michael Thomas has over twenty years of service to New Bedford and has been a paramedic on our city’s busiest ambulances. Mike has also served as a field supervisor , Deputy Director and was promoted to Director of EMS in 2021. As Director Thomas is responsible the overall management and delivery of Emergency Medical Services . Thomas is also a registered nurse.

David Zander

Deputy Director

Deputy Director David Zander began his career as a Paramedic in 2010 and served on Medic 2 and Later on Medic 1 , He was promoted to the training division in 2019 and Deputy Director of New Bedford EMS in 2021. Zander, also who is a Massachusetts instructor coordinator also oversees New Bedford EMS Training Academy, a program to encourage and train New Bedford residents to become EMT’s .

Ryan Grasela

Captain

Captain Ryan Grasela began his career with NBEMS as a Paramedic in 2014, assigned to Medic 3, serving the city North End. Captain Grasela also assumed the role of one of New Bedford’s first rapid response paramedics. A specialty unit that provides rapid response and support on high priority calls. He was promoted in 2022 and is currently leading New Bedford EMS as the Captain of Training and Professional Standards.

At New Bedford E.M.S., our team is the heart and soul of our organization. Comprised of dedicated and highly trained individuals, our team members play a pivotal role in delivering top-notch prehospital emergency medical care to the New Bedford community. We take pride in our diverse group of professionals who bring their unique skills and expertise to the forefront of our operations.

Paramedics and EMTs

Our team includes over fifty full-time and part-time Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who work diligently to ensure the health and safety of our community. These highly skilled professionals are at the forefront of emergency medical care, providing critical interventions, administering life-saving medications, and offering compassionate support to patients in their time of need. Their training and expertise enable them to handle a wide range of medical emergencies, from trauma care to cardiac incidents.

Educators and Community Advocates

Many of our team members go above and beyond their roles as medical responders. They are also educators, regularly teaching CPR, First Aid, and various healthcare programs to the public. This commitment to community education extends to supporting local high school Emergency Medical Technology programs and serving as precepting sites for Paramedic Interns. Our team believes in empowering the community with life-saving knowledge.