LOWVILLE — Lewis County’s emergency medical services coordinator, Robert A. Mackenzie III, brings varied experience to his new post.

“Bob will blend in very well with emergency services,” Lewis County Emergency Services Director James M. Martin said.

Mr. Mackenzie was recently named to the full-time county post, replacing Mark A. Tuttle.

Mr. Tuttle, who served as the county’s EMS coordinator since the position was created in mid-2006, earlier this year was named director of Lewis County Search and Rescue, the county’s largest ambulance squad.

“The reason I took this position is to ensure the volunteers of Lewis County get the representation and proper training they need,” Mr. Mackenzie said. “They’re the ones that make it happen. They’re the boots on the ground every day.”

The Lyons Falls resident became an emergency medical technician in 2006 and has since earned certification in critical care and, a couple of years ago, as a paramedic. He is a volunteer with the Lyons Falls ambulance squad and has worked part time at AmCare ambulance service in Rome.

Mr. Mackenzie also has served for the past three years as chairman of the county EMS Council, although he stepped down from that position after taking the coordinator job, and has been the assistant commander of the county’s hazardous material decontamination team since its inception a few years ago.

“I can wear the hazmat green suits, so to speak,” he said.

He is also fourth assistant chief with the Lyons Falls Fire Department, and his wife of 20 years, Rebecca, has been an EMT-Basic for the past year.

Mr. Mackenzie previously worked for 22 years with Teal’s Express and the Teal’s family of trucking companies, spending the past 13 years as safety and maintenance director.

“This was a heart-wrenching decision to leave there,” he said. “But it was in the best interest of the EMS community that I make the move and come on board here.”

With his trucking background, Mr. Mackenzie will be able to haul the county’s hazardous materials trailer, if needed, Mr. Martin said.

That diverse experience led the hiring committee of Mr. Tuttle, County Manager David H. Pendergast and a few EMS Council members to select Mr. Mackenzie over three other applicants, all of them county residents.

“We’re very pleased to have Bob on board with us,” Mr. Martin said.

Mr. Tuttle has visited the Public Safety Building on a couple of recent occasions to help get Mr. Mackenzie acclimated to the position, he said.

“It’s been a good transition,” Mr. Martin said.

Along with learning the ropes over the past couple of weeks, Mr. Mackenzie already has responded to several emergency calls as “EMS 1,” coordinating medical services and providing hands-on treatment when needed.

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