Hartwig Continues Service

On Jan. 12, San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig was reappointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the California Commission on Emergency Medical Services (EMS), a position he has held since December 2012. The Commission on Emergency Medical Services supports the role of EMS agencies to ensure that patients have adequate access to quality emergency medical services and to ensure the long term stability of these services. The Commission reviews and approves regulations, standards and guidelines developed by the authority to implement its EMS responsibilities. They make recommendations for further development and future directions of EMS in the State based upon evaluations of the EMS systems. Amongst other things, the Commission also advises the Director with regard to communications, medical equipment, training personnel, facilities and other components of the EMS system. Representing the California Fire Chiefs Association, Chief Hartwig vowed to continue efforts to effectively deliver and enhance EMS and move forward into Mobile Integrated Healthcare; to include Community Paramedicine. Community Paramedicine is part of a change in the EMS to move into a fully integrated component of the healthcare system. The program targets locally identified health care needs and increases access to care by providing the right level of service based on the individual’s medical need. Hartwig has been fire chief of the San Bernardino County Fire Department since 2011. He served as deputy fire chief at the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District from 2007 to 2011, where he was battalion chief from 2005 to 2007. Hartwig served in several positions at the San Bernardino County Fire Department from 1992 to 2005, including fire captain, apparatus engineer and training and safety officer. Hartwig earned a Master of Science degree in emergency medical services from California State University Long Beach.