An experienced EMS leader with more than 42 years of service in the private sector ambulance industry, Jim Karras has gained a reputation for developing long-term strategies when implementing programs for operational deployments, economic forecasts, reimbursement advocacy, staffing models, and training content. Jim recently retired as vice president and chief operating officer of AmbuServe, Inc., a private firm that owned and operated Medic-1 Ambulance, AmbuServe Ambulance in Los Angeles County, and Shoreline Ambulance in Orange County. Previously, Jim served in similar senior leadership positions throughout California and East Texas at prominent ambulance services such as AmeriCare Ambulance, Priority One Medical Transport, and Emergency Ambulance.
Jim began his career in EMS after receiving his California emergency medical technician certification in Los Angeles County. He joined the historic Schaefer Ambulance Service as an EMT ambulance attendant, where he worked for almost 18 years. During his time at Schaefer, Jim was promoted through various positions and last served as a Regional Manager of the Orange County and San Diego County divisions. During his tenure in the private ambulance industry, Jim was very active in the industry’s trade associations, including serving as president of the Ambulance Association of Orange County for seven years, as well as serving as vice president of the San Diego County Ambulance Association, the Ambulance Association of Orange County, the Los Angeles County Ambulance Association, and, most recently, the Southern California Ambulance Association. Jim also served as the Chair of the California Ambulance Association’s Human Resources Collaborative Committee for three years. Jim is currently certified as a California emergency medical technician.
“I wanted to offer my compliments to Citygate, to Mr. Gary for this very comprehensive report.”
San Luis Obispo Council Member
“I think Citygate has done a great job. It seems like you’ve been most thorough and even-handed in your evaluations and you’ve given us certainly a lot of suggestions and guidelines to work with.”
City of Vista, CA
“[Stu Gary’s] knowledge, expertise, and demeanor were invaluable in our efforts to ferret out a fair agreement with the City. I could go on and on about Stu, but you already know all of the superlatives.”
AAE, General Manager Monterey Regional Airport
“We work with consultants, obviously, all the time, but the work that Citygate did on this report is some of the best I’ve seen in my tenure here.”
Retired Chief Administrative Officer San Diego County
“Thank you so much for this training. This was the best PIO training I’ve ever received.”
S-403 Information Officer class participant
“I really want to express my appreciation for this work that’s been done in a collaborative way in which the study was put together. . . . I’ve seen a number of studies start in the fire department and this is the first one I can remember that has actually been fully completed and brought to the council, and it was done in a very thorough fashion. This is the best assemblage of comprehensive information about the fire department today, as well as what our needs might be in the future, that I have seen. So thanks to everyone. Thank you, Stewart, for giving us our money’s worth on our consultant contract with you.”
City Manager City of San Luis Obispo
