OSWEGO, N.Y. — Oswego Health has appointed Mark Azzarello as its new emergency management coordinator.

Azzarello, who has extensive experience in emergency medical services and public health, will oversee emergency preparedness, safety protocols, and wellness initiatives across Oswego Health’s 18 campuses and among its 1,400 employees, the health system announced.

The emergency management coordinator is a critical position within Oswego Health, ensuring the safety of patients, visitors, and staff across the system, the organization said. Azzarello will oversee the emergency management program, implement safety drills, and provide ongoing training on mental health and wellness, emergency preparedness, and crisis response. His responsibilities will include coordinating emergency preparedness initiatives, facilitating compliance with federal regulations, and managing the organization’s Continuity of Operations Plan.

Azzarello has worked in the medical field since 2017. He has served in various roles, including community health technician and emergency medical technician with UPMC, where he played an instrumental role in public-health initiatives, including the launch of COVID-19 testing and vaccination programs. Azzarello has also worked as an emergency room technician and medical assistant, providing hands-on care to patients and assisting in emergency response efforts across multiple health-care settings, Oswego Health said.

In addition to his safety responsibilities, Azzarello will act as a liaison to external partners, including local emergency services, health-care coalitions, and law-enforcement agencies, to ensure an organized and coordinated response during potential disasters.