Jerry Holldber of Pine Cove was appointed to represent Riverside County Supervisorial District 3 on the county’s Emergency Medical Care Committee. Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington submitted Holldber’s nomination to the county Board of Supervisors at its Tuesday, Oct. 27, meeting.
“My interest goes back nearly 40 years when I became a volunteer EMT firefighter at Pine Cove,” said Holldber, who is general manager of Pine Cove Water District and chair of County Service Area 38 (Pine Cove). “I’ve been concerned with our EMS system on the mountain and the cost and future of ambulance coverage for years.”
The EMCC is responsible for reviewing ambulance service within the county, emergency medical care offered, including training programs for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and lifesaving first aid, and first aid practices within the county, according to Brian MacGavin, assistant director of the county’s Emergency Medical Services Agency.
“They advise our agency and the board of supervisors,” MacGavin said. “And are responsible for an annual report.”
The state Health and Safety Code authorizes the establishment of EMCCs. The Riverside County group, which was established in 1984, meets quarterly and covers several emergency medical service issues. EMCC is a 17-member committee, including one representative from each supervisorial district. Other members represent various stakeholder groups such the county health officer and fire department, American Medical Response, law enforcement, physicians, hospitals, the local ambulance association and air ambulance providers.
Most recently, the group has overseen the preparation of the county EMS strategy plan, which was adopted in 2014. During recent meetings, the committee has begun to work with MacGavin and EMSA Director Bruce Barton on implementation of the strategic plan and developing a reporting matrix to track the implementation progress.
Attending the public meetings during the development of the strategic plan raised Holldber’s interest in being more involved in the county emergency medical care services. He expressed his interest to both Barton and MacGavin, who inquired about his joining the EMCC earlier this year.
“I think he will be a great addition to the EMCC,” MacGavin said. “He has been involved with EMSA and is very passionate about the issues and he’ll carefully weigh all sides.”
“It’s an honor to represent Supervisor Washington on the EMCC,” Holldber said. “Great progress has been made on the county’s strategic plan already.”
Holldber’s term will end June 30, 2017.
