Priority Ambulance Announces Addition of Art Andres as Director of EMS Operations

SAN BERNARDINO (Feb. 19, 2024)  – Priority Ambulance, a subsidiary of Priority OnDemand, is pleased to announce the addition of Art Andres as Director of EMS Operations for CONFIRE EMS & Mobile Health, Priority’s new EMS operation in San Bernadino County, CA. With an impressive 24-year career with the Ontario Fire Department and two years as Director of the CONFIRE joint powers authority, Mr. Andres brings a wealth of experience to his new role. CONFIRE EMS is a division of the CONFIRE Joint Powers Authority, a public-private partnership formed by 12 fire agencies in collaboration with Priority Ambulance. CONFIRE EMS has been selected to provide emergency and non-emergency ambulance services in portions of San Bernardino County, California beginning October 2024.

Andres began his career as a paramedic in San Bernardino County for Mercy Ambulance in 1990, later serving Orange County as a firefighter. He joined the Ontario Fire Department in 1996. Throughout his tenure with the Ontario Fire Department, Andres demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership, rising from firefighter/paramedic to Captain, EMS Coordinator, Battalion Chief, and ultimately Senior Deputy Chief. He was instrumental in developing CONFIRE EMS, where he served as its director until his retirement in 2022.  During his professional tenure, Art has worked to improve the EMS system, serving in multiple capacities on the local and state level, including as the Chair of an Emergency Medical Committee in San Bernardino County, Chair of the EMS Advisory Committee for Victor Valley Community College, and as a paramedic representative on California Emergency Medical Service Authority’s Emergency Medical Services for Children Technical Advisory Committee. 

"We are thrilled to have Art join Priority as our Director of EMS Operations. His extensive experience and dedication to the field of EMS within San Bernardino County make him the perfect fit to support our partnership with CONFIRE. We look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly have on our organization," said Bryan Gibson, CEO of Priority OnDemand.

"Art's history of leadership, expertise in EMS, and in-depth knowledge of our communities and the CONFIRE organization make him an invaluable addition to the team," adds CONFIRE Executive Director, Chief Nathan Cooke. "Having Art as a conduit with Priority will further strengthen our innovative delivery of services for the communities we serve."

As Director of EMS Operations, Andres will provide leadership and administrative oversight, a pivotal role as Priority and CONFIRE EMS prepare to assume ambulance service in much of San Bernardino County, the first change in medical transportation services in more than 40 years. The CONFIRE EMS and Priority Ambulance partnership will bring cooperative, integrated, high-quality care and expert oversight, connecting people to the care they need, when and where they need it.