09/01/2026
đźš‘ GPRA ANNOUNCES AUSTIN SCHRADER AS CHIEF OF OPERATIONS
After a painstaking search, the Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance Association is proud to announce the appointment of Austin Schrader, RN, CMTE, as our new Chief of Operations.
Schrader joins GPRA bringing nearly 25 years of experience in emergency medical services, healthcare, public safety, and organizational leadership. His career has spanned virtually every level of the EMS profession, with experience as an EMT, Paramedic, Flight Paramedic, Registered Nurse, and senior EMS executive.
Most recently, Schrader served as Chief Operating Officer of Pocono Mountain Regional EMS, where his leadership focused on organizational development, clinical excellence, operational performance, workforce development, technology, fiscal responsibility, and building sustainable systems designed to meet the evolving needs of both EMS professionals and the communities they serve.
Schrader achieved certification as a Certified Medical Transport Executive (CMTE), a nationally recognized credential for leaders within the medical transportation industry. His contributions to EMS leadership have also earned national recognition, including being named a 40 Under 40 honoree by the American Ambulance Association, recognizing emerging leaders helping shape the future of mobile healthcare and emergency medical services.
His leadership extends well beyond Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Schrader currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA), where he works alongside EMS executives and industry leaders from across the United States to advance leadership, management, education, advocacy, and innovation within the EMS profession.
Throughout his career, Schrader has remained deeply committed to a simple philosophy: EMS organizations should strive to provide every patient with the same level of compassion, clinical excellence, and professionalism that we would expect for our own families.
That philosophy closely aligns with GPRA’s commitment to the communities we serve.
As Chief of Operations, Schrader will provide executive and operational leadership while working closely with GPRA’s Board of Directors, leadership team, clinicians, employees, municipal partners, healthcare organizations, and community stakeholders.
His initial focus will be on listening and learning. Over his first several months, Schrader plans to conduct a comprehensive assessment of GPRA’s operations, organizational culture, clinical performance, workforce needs, financial and operational systems, community relationships, and opportunities for future growth.
The Board of Directors is excited to welcome Austin to the GPRA family and looks forward to this next chapter for our organization. He will be assuming operational command of the GPRA in late September. Chief Ankenbrand will continue to hold operational command until then, and will thereafter remain as a senior member of the command staff once Chief Schrader takes over.
Please join us in welcoming Chief Austin Schrader to Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance Association!
The next chapter of GPRA starts now.
