County EMS Chief Medina retires
David Varela promoted to head up ambulance fleet
Chris Medina, chief of Taos County EMS, will retire on Friday (March 24) after 25 years of service.
EMT David Varela has been selected to lead the department, according to Taos County Manager Brent Jaramillo, who presented Medina with a certificate of service and a plaque during the Taos County Commission’s regular meeting on Tuesday (March 21).
Taos County EMS, which operates from a station adjacent to but independent from Holy Cross Medical Center, came under fire last year for refusing to perform hospital ground transfers outside the county. At the time, Medina cited a lack of staff and resources, telling the Taos News that “we were putting our 911 service at risk” by sending ambulances to Santa Fe, Albuquerque and points beyond.
Taos County EMS answers around 4,000 emergency 911 calls annually, a number that has grown and continues to grow over the past several years; at the same time, the department has faced recruitment challenges.
Medina earned his certificate of service over the years, during which time he rose from the rank of basic EMT to become EMS Chief — a role he has lately performed while still operating as an EMT in the field.
“Being short-handed, Chris is on the rig” Jaramillo told commissioners. “I’ve seen him on those Fridays driving the ambulance. Chris jumped in, no questions asked.”
Taos County Fire Chief Michael Cordova said that Medina was, in fact, due for an EMT shift following Tuesday’s meeting. He also recalled Medina’s diligence in sterilizing ambulances and equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He’s been our constant for the past seven years now that he’s been chief, and he stepped in when our previous director left and he’s taught us a lot. He carried us through the pandemic — he was the driving force with that.”
“We owe you a gigantic debt of gratitude for your service with Taos County, and also for your leadership in how you serve and how you run the department,” District 4 Commissioner and Chair AnJanette Brush told Medina.
Medina told the Taos News he wasn’t certain what the future held for him professionally, but said he intended to spend more time with family.
“It’s a good time to catch up on some sleep, catch up with family,” he said, adding that, when asked, he is reluctant to identify any particular emergency call as especially memorable. Medina estimated that, in his combined time as a flight service paramedic and later with county EMS, he had attended to between 16,000 and 17,000 people.
“They all kind of stand out,” he said. “I can kind of remember everybody individually. People used to come up to me in the store and say, ‘Oh, thank you so much for your help,’ and remember me. It sticks with you.”