Boothbay Region Ambulance Service is excited to introduce Dan Gardner, the new EMS Chief and leader of Boothbay Region Ambulance Service.

Dan started in EMS in 1989 in a rural town in Rhode Island before 911 existed in the town. This is where he learned the core skills that would help him grow in his career. In 1998 Dan moved to Cape Canaveral, Florida where he worked as a shipboard paramedic on a casino cruise ship. He was in charge of the onboard medical program which was a great learning experience because there wasn’t a medical director. Dan worked directly with the captain of the ship to develop medical protocols and emergency procedures. In 2001, Dan was asked by a friend who had secured a job in Las Vegas as a casino security chief, if he would consider moving out there to help him out. The larger casinos out there have their own in-house medical teams, and his friend didn’t know how to run that type of program. So, off he went to Las Vegas!

He stayed in Las Vegas until 2005 when he was presented with the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong desire to live in Texas. He moved to Seabrook, Texas which is located between Houston and Galveston. Dan then worked for two separate 911 systems there. In 2019, he had the opportunity to run the third largest ambulance service in Texas. It was a tremendous undertaking. 513 employees, 111 ambulances, 15 dispatchers and 13 administrative staff to manage. That service handled 911 service and interfacility transports, averaging 130,000 calls a year.

During his time in Texas, Dan met a wonderful lady named Christi who is now his fiancé. They owned a home in Santa Fe, Texas and after many years and noticeable changes in the neighborhood, they decided that it was time for a move. Dan applied and interviewed with different agencies around the country and with Boothbay Region Ambulance Service. This was a multi-step interview process that included visiting the area. After returning to Texas, he remained hopeful and optimistic that the board of directors would select him. There was something about the people on the board of directors that made him comfortable throughout the interview process that made him think, “this is who you want to work for.”

“They are all members of the community, and this is the type of community that we want to live in and serve,” said Dan. Well, the great news came that he was selected. He couldn’t have been happier! Dan and his fiancé
coordinated the move, sold their home, and moved to Boothbay.

Upon his arrival, Dan realized that he is leading the most dedicated and professional staff here that he has ever encountered as a group. Each and all of them have absolute dedication in their hearts for the safety and well-being of everyone who lives and visits the Boothbay region. They take pride in everything they do. Dan has said repeatedly that he couldn’t be prouder of them, and that he is truly blessed to have the opportunity to work alongside of them.

Dan has always loved stock car racing and had raced since the age of 16. He built a race car and raced at the local speedway next to the NASCAR track. After hearing about a racing event called “The Richard Petty Driving Experience” that was held on the NASCAR track, he was excited to get involved. Dan became a driver for the Richard Petty Corporation and was able to be a part of fulfilling the dreams of people who wanted to experience what it was like to be in a NASCAR race car traveling at race speed.

Dan and his fiancé are animal lovers, dogs mainly. They then got into training them. Dan worked hard on getting all of his certifications and opened their own K9 training business. This was how Dan relaxes from the stressors of EMS.

In Dan’s short time here in Boothbay region, he has hopped right into the fundraising for the capital campaign and dove headfirst into getting to know the team and the area. He prides himself on being part of the team and genuinely caring about the best interests of his staff and the area he serves. We look forward to seeing all he does in our region and please check out our new website www.brasems.org for ways to donate to our capital campaign.

Be on the lookout for Boothbay Region Ambulance Service to be the recipient of the Hannaford donation program in the near future too. Join us in welcoming Dan and Christi to Boothbay region! If you see Dan around the area, please say hello and introduce yourself