 Boston EMS traces its history to the Boston City Hospital Ambulance Service, formed in 1892, and it remained a division of the City of Boston Health & Hospitals Department through 1996, at which time Boston EMS became a bureau of the newly created Boston Public Health Commission.After 36 years of service with Boston EMS, Chief of Department Richard Serino retired in October 2009 to accept the position of Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after nomination and confirmation by the US Senate.On January 25, 2010, Mayor Thomas Menino appointed Superintendent-in-Chief James Hooley, a 32 year veteran of Boston EMS as the new Chief of Department.