In an effort to move forward with its strategic plan and regional efforts and to improve efficiencies in an ever-changing health care landscape, Cetronia Ambulance Corps is enhancing its leadership team with the addition of a chief operating officer.

Robert Mateff Sr., 50, a Lower Saucon Township native with a background in government and communications, has taken the reigns of the newly created position of COO at Cetronia. He began his role June 5.

Mateff is known for being instrumental in the development of the Northampton County 911 center and was former chair of Northeast Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force. He was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to serve as deputy of Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, where he worked on the strategic direction and development of the statewide 911 system.

Most recently, Mateff worked as director of emergency communications and operations at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was responsible for strategic leadership with emergency communications within the university system.

Mateff also is a former deputy sheriff and emergency medical technician. He holds a certificate in preparedness leadership from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and is a graduate of DeSales University, with a criminal justice degree.

According to Mateff, who spent a number of years as a volunteer firefighter and volunteer EMT, he was drawn to the community aspect of Cetronia’s 62 years of saving lives.

“Cetronia has just a great history and great reputation in the community,” Mateff said. “The fact that it is a community-based organization was a huge driver for me.”

According to Larry Wiersch, Cetronia’s chief executive officer, Mateff will be instrumental in helping Cetronia’s strategic plan and regional efforts, improving efficiencies and in advancing its lifesaving mission.