EL CHICANo Weekly
Vo l 61, NO. 12
Febr uar y 29, 2024
Ann Mar tgan and San Manuel Lead the Charge in Exposing Diver se Communities to Public Safety Car eer s
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By Manny Sandoval
IECN.com
Amazon Cited for Serious Health and Safety Violations at San Bernardino Warehouse Pg. 5
n the world of public safety, where diversity is often lacking, Ann Martgan shines as a trailblazer for change. As the EMS Operations Manager for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Fire Department, Martgan is not just one of the few women of color in a leadership position nationally, she is also a fervent advocate for fostering diversity in the emergency medical services (EMS) field.
Only 30% of EMS professionals in the U.S. are women in the U.S. An even smaller number of EMS professionals identify as black. Approximately 5% of EMTs and 3% of paramedics identify as black and from those percentages, there are only a handful of women of color in the nation who are leaders of EMS operations.
Martgan's journey in public safety began 19 years ago, inspired by her experience as a teenager in an EMS explorers program. "I fell in love with the ability to serve other folks and never looked back," she reflects. Her passion was ignit-
ed during a car extraction exercise on a rainy day, where she realized her potential to make a difference. "In that moment, I knew I wanted to help people forever," she says.
Now, also a professor at her alma mater, Crafton Hills College, Martgan has developed career outreach programs to expose students to the profession. She emphasizes the importance of early exposure to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and public safety industries to create a more inclusive future. "The younger we can expose young people to this industry, the greater possibility they can see themselves in the seat," she asserts.
Martgan is acutely aware of the underrepresentation of women and people of color in public safety. "There are a lot of EMS managers, but only a few are female women of color," she notes. She believes that having diverse perspectives is critical to understanding and overcoming the barriers that prevent greater diversity in the workforce. Public Safety cont. on next pg.
PHOTO SMBMI
San Manuel Fire Department EMS Operations Manager Ann Martgan is inspired by mentors such as Amanda Ward, paramedic program director at Crafton Hills College, who began her career young and recently received a state award for her contributions; and SMBMI’s Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena, known for her graceful leadership and strong dedication to tribal culture and community stewardship.
San Gorgonio Alumnus Angel Orozco Champions Crusade for Enhanced Funding to Mitigate Harsh SBCUSD Learning Environments
Redlands Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Striking Victim with Car
dated facilities, limited resources, and a lack of essential equipment. This is unacceptable."
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Orozco detailed the challenges faced by students at San Gorgonio High School, including overcrowded classrooms and insufficient lab spaces. "In biology classes, the lack of microscopes and other basic equipment meant that we often had to skip over important hands-on activities," he explained. "This significantly hindered our ability to engage with the material fully."
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PHOTO ICUC
(Left to right) Brothers Arturo Orozco and Angel Orozco advocating with Inland Congregations United for Change, helping Inland Empire congregations fight for equality, equity and justice.
By Manny Sandoval
n a bold move to address disparities in educational resources, Angel Orozco, a San Gorgonio High School alumnus from the class of 2023, is spearheading a campaign to secure increased funding for the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD).
During a press conference organized by Public Advocates on February 21, Orozco
passionately voiced the urgent need for equitable funding to enhance the classroom experience and overall learning environment.
"Our district is facing a critical shortfall in funding, which is severely impacting the quality of education students in our communities are receiving," Orozco stated. "During my time at San Gorgonio High School and still across many SBCUSD schools, students are contending with out-
In his experience, the situation was further exacerbated during the summer months when unreliable HVAC units frequently broke down, leaving students and teachers exhausted from the heat. "The lack of proper ventilation and air conditioning makes it incredibly difficult to focus and learn, especially when temperatures soar," Orozco added.
He also highlighted the adverse impact of water damage San Gorgonio faced anytime it rained, which forced the closure of some classrooms and disrupted the learning environment. "The stark reality is that our learning environment is far from conducive to success," Orozco lamented. "We need modernized classrooms, state-of-the-art equipment, and wellness centers to support our student’s mental health and academic growth." SBCUSD cont. on next pg.