CRANBERRY TWP — The new leader of Cranberry Township EMS is a familiar face in both the organization and the community.

Ted Fessides was named the new chief Friday, replacing former chief Jeff Kelly. Kelly left his position at the end of January to take a job in Washington, D.C.

Fessides has been serving as interim director since then, and was one of three people chosen from a pool of applicants to interview last week. He said interest was high in the job, with 15 applicants from around the country submitting resumes within three days of the job posting.

In his interview, Fessides said he focused on fiscal responsibility and making sure the department remains financially strong.

“That is our number one challenge with lower reimbursements and being tasked to do more and more,” he said.

In addition to finances, Fessides said a goal moving forward will be to focus on recruitment and retention. A resident of Zelienople and graduate of Seneca Valley High School, he's seen the area grow. However, even with that growth, the township isn't immune to problems plaguing many organizations.

“We're seeing a lot of people moving into the township but not a lot of people wanting to come to work,” he said. “That is not just a Cranberry problem, that's a problem we're seeing nationwide.”

Fessides said many people who are pursuing a career in the medical field may come to work, but the position becomes a holdover until they earn a degree.

“We need to show them that this is an actual career and not just a steppingstone to something better,” he said.

Fessides has made a career at the Cranberry organization, joining in August 1999 after becoming certified as an EMT. He became a paramedic in 2001, and served in that role for many years. In 2009, he was promoted to crew chief, and in 2011 took over as interim deputy chief, focusing on operations.

During that time, Fessides earned a bachelor's degree in emergency medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, and next year will earn an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.

In his most recent role, Fessides served as deputy chief of administration, and since 2016 has focused on community outreach and projects. He said moving forward, that outreach will continue to be an important element of the organization.

“You need to show that you're out there,” he said. “The biggest thing I've tried to do is show that EMS is a lot more than just taking people to the hospital. That's been my whole goal since 2011.”

Those programs include car seat checks, CPR training and the Safe Landings Program, where personnel visit new or expectant parents and make sure they are prepared for their new arrival. His old position will be phased out, Fessides said, and replaced with a position focused on outreach such as that.

“All of that stuff goes to show that we're a much more valuable resource than just getting from point A to point B when you're having an emergency,” he said. “That is a very essential part of what we do.”