CPF Secretary Treasurer Sworn in as Chair of State EMS Commission
California firefighters now have a forceful advocate on issues affecting the state's emergency medical response capabilities.
CPF Secretary-Treasurer Lew Stone has been sworn in as the new chair of California's Emergency Medical Services Commission. A member of the EMS Commission since 2003, Stone is the first non-management firefighter to serve as the chair of the EMS Commission.
"As the men and women on the front lines actually providing patient care, firefighters need to be engaged in all facets of EMS decision making," Stone said. "I'm proud to be one of four CPF members currently serving on the Commission, carrying forward your pride in providing the best quality patient care."
Formed in 1981, the 18-member EMS Commission is responsible for overseeing the standards, regulations and guidelines developed by the state EMS Authority. The Commission also advises EMSA on a variety of issues, including discipline.
Stone served over 30 years as a Burbank firefighter, 24 of those as captain. He also spent a quarter century as president of Burbank Firefighters Local 778. He became CPF Secretary Treasurer in 2008.
In addition to Stone, the other CPF members on the EMS Commission are David Rose, a Santa Clara Co. fire captain, Joy Stovell, engineer-paramedic with Contra Costa Fire and David Teter, a CAL FIRE battalion chief.
