San Diego County To Honor AMR's Longest-Serving Employee

SAN DIEGO, CA — American Medical Response will Friday host a special event for its longest-serving employee, El Cajon-native Gordon Anderson, who has been with the company for 55 years

Anderson grew up in El Cajon, graduated from El Cajon Valley High School and has lived his adult life in the South Bay area of San Diego County. He joined AMR on April 5, 1969, where he worked as an ambulance driver before becoming one of the very first licensed EMTs in the county, a statement from the company said.

Nora Vargas, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, will present Anderson with a proclamation at a special luncheon event at Montgomery Field on Friday.

"The County of San Diego does hereby commend Gordon Anderson for his service to our region and for aiding thousands of people in need over the course of his distinguished career, and do hereby declare today April 5, 2024 to be Gordon Anderson Day throughout San Diego County," the proclamation reads.

Over his career, Anderson has responded to some of the county's most memorable disasters, including the 1970 Laguna Fire and the crash of PSA Flight 182 in North Park in 1978. He has spent most of his career as a dispatcher -- the last several years as a Communications Supervisor in AMR's Communications Center.

As a dispatcher, he helped carry out AMR's response to the 1985 Normal Heights Fire, the 2003 Cedar Fire and the 2007 Witch Creek Fire.

Beyond his life-saving efforts, Anderson has been married to his wife, Claudia, for more than 40 years. His family now includes four children, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Additionally, the California Ambulance Association has presented him with the Star of Life Award, recognizing and honoring dedicated professionals in the ambulance services industry in the state.

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