Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk announced Tuesday that he selected Robert Luckritz, a former head of the Jersey City Medical Center EMS, as the next chief of the Austin-Travis County EMS.
Luckritz has worked for 25 years in medical services, including as a paramedic, instructor, field supervisor, EMS Chief, and hospital executive.
As executive director of Jersey City Medical Center EMS from 2013 to 2018, he oversaw EMS services for Jersey City and Hudson County, which has a population of about 700,000. That’s smaller than Travis County—about 55% of the population—but in a much denser area.
For the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Luckritz served as vice president of hospital operations for Jersey City Medical Center, an area hit hard by the pandemic in its early stages.
Luckritz was also president of the New Jersey Association of Paramedics. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Transformative Healthcare, a multi-state EMS, medical transportation, and public health organization in New England.
He began his career in New England as a paramedic and EMS lieutenant in North Adams, Massachusetts. He holds Bachelor of Science in EMS Management from Springfield College and a JD from Western New England College of Law. He is also a fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives.
Cronk and Assistant City Manager for Public Safety Rey Arellano selected Luckritz out of a field of 37 applicants. “I am confident that his extensive knowledge of EMS services and programs will bring the leadership and vision we are seeking for the future of our EMS services,” said Cronk.
Luckritz had already been announced as a finalist alongside interim EMS chief Jasper Brown, whom Cronk praised for “exceptional leadership” while serving as interim chief.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to be the City of Austin’s next EMS Chief,” said Luckritz. “I look forward to creating opportunities to support and empower employees of the department in order to provide exceptional EMS services to the residents of Austin and Travis County.”
The Austin City Council will be asked to confirm the appointment at its February 17, 2022 meeting. Luckritz will begin his new duties March 14.
