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By Manny Sandoval
In the world of public safety, where diversity is often l a c k i n g , A n n M a r t g a n s h i n e s a s a t r a i l b l a z e r f o r 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 s a f e t y b e g a n 1 9 y e a r s a g o , inspired by her experience as a teenager in an EMS explorers program "I fell in love with the ability to serve other folks and n e v e r l o o k e d b a c k , " s h e 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 a l m a m a t e r, C r a f t o n H i l l s College, Martgan has developed career outreach programs to expose students to the profess i o n S h e e m p h a s i z e s t h e 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 t h e u n d e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f 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
By Manny Sandoval
In 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-
dated facilities, limited resources, and a lack of essential equipment This is unacceptable "
Orozco detailed the challenges faced by students at San Gorgonio High School, in clu d in g o v er cr o w d ed clas s r o o ms an d 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 "
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 m o d e r n i z e d c l a s s r o o m s , s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t equipment, and wellness centers to support our student’s mental health and academic growth "
Public Safety
To address these challenges, Martgan has been instrumental in developing programs like the Allied Health and Medical Careers Day at Crafton Hills College Over the last decade, this initiative has seen over 1,000 women participate, empowering them to pursue careers in public safety She also highlights the importance of outreach days to show young women their potential in STEM and emergency services
Martgan's efforts are supported by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians' commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy The enterprise’s Team Member Philanthropy Program encourages employees to volunteer (with pay) to support a cause or organization that is close to their heart, and successfully logged over 1,800 hours in 2022
The lack of diversity in public safety is a complex issue, deeply intertwined with challenges in education, training, and accessibility Martgan, who has been teaching at Crafton since 2007, strives to increase access and raise awareness for underrepresented communities To this end, the EMT programs at Crafton have launched satellite programs in underserved areas, effectively bridging the gap and creating pathways for more diverse participation in the field
Crafton Hills College is leveraging a grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to offer support for those training as paramedics at Crafton Hills College This initiative aims to lower the financial barriers for first responder ed-
SBCUSD
The disparities in funding between SBCUSD and more affluent districts are a central concern for Orozco He argues that the current allocation of funds fails to reflect the needs of the district's predominantly low-income student population
"In a district as large and diverse as ours, it's imperative that funding is distributed in a way that ensures all students have equal opportunities to thrive," Orozco emphasized "We're calling on state legislators and Governor Newsom to rectify this injustice and invest in the future of our community "
ucation and has been a game-changer in recruiting and retaining EMTs, especially women and people of color
"The $1 8 million grant from San Manuel has been transformative It has allowed Crafton Hills College the program to provide direct support to current cadets and invest in an endowment for future students," Martgan explains
As an Inland Empire native, Martgan's dedication to public safety and diversity is deeply personal Her own journey began as a first responder at age 14, and she has since worked as an EMT and paramedic before joining the San Manuel Fire Department With the tribe's tuition assistance, she earned her bachelor ’s and master ’s degrees and is now working on her Doctorate
Through her leadership and advocacy, Ann Martgan is not just forging a path for others like her; she is transforming the landscape of public safety to be more inclusive and representative of the communities it serves
Her message is clear: empowering young people to see public safety as a viable career and showing children in underserved communities the benefits of choosing a career in public service are critical steps toward equalizing the professional public safety field of work “One way the public can tangibly assist in working towards diversifying public safety in the future is by learning about and visiting your local public safety departments today ”
To learn more about the San Manuel Fire Department, visit sanmanuel-nsn gov/fire-safety
The legal demand letter sent by Public Advocates to the state legislature underscores the collective demand for change Orozco's advocacy, along with the support of students, educators, and community members, aims to catalyze a shift towards a more equitable distribution of resources in education
A current freshman at San Bernardino Valley College, Orozco is majoring in liberal arts with a focus on political science, and is determined to leverage his education to continue advocating for his community His efforts highlight the critical role of student voices in shaping policies that impact their educational experiences and futures
Lunar New Year Celebration Br ought Immer sive Cultural Experiences, Cuisines, and Decor to San Ber nardino on Febr uar y 17
Community News
Tax forms, check Car repairs, check Prep for kids’ school activities, check Make reservations for Valentine’s Day, check Schedule your breast exam or cervical cancer screening exam wait, what?
Free training courses are launching this January for caregivers in San Bernardino County These multi-week, competencybased training programs are offered at no cost to the county's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers by the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) through a grant from the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) and High Road Training Partnership (HRTP)
Caregivers can enroll in one of three programs: IHSS Essentials, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD), and Caregiver Resiliency / Emergency Preparedness The sessions will be offered in English and Spanish
The Essentials course will teach caregivers about medication safety, nutrition, assistance with activities of daily living, and communication skills Caregivers in the ADRD course will learn how to recognize signs of Alzheimer's, as well as how to manage symptoms such as hallucination, sundowning, and behavioral changes
The Caregiver Resiliency course will help caregivers with climate-related emergency preparedness and response and how to recover from post-disaster trauma
Henrene Barris, an IHSS provider in San Bernardino, is looking forward to the training "It is important for in-home caregivers to have training programs available so we can provide quality care CCA's curriculum is so detailed and relevant The multiweek format allows for more interaction, more time for learning, and more knowledge to be shared," says Barris, who helped shape the project as a member of the Advisory Committee
In addition to providing these three programs to San Bernardino's IHSS caregivers, CCA will conduct a randomized control trial in partnership with researchers affiliated with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) North America at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) This will be the first RCT on IHSS training Building on CCA's existing research, the study will lay the foundation for policy change that will recognize worker specializations, improve worker retention, create advancement within the home care workforce, and secure long-term funding for caregiver training
"We are excited to be a part of the first-ever randomized evaluation of training for IHSS
By Roy Beck, community memberAmerica's business elites have used immigration as a tool to avoid hiring Black Americans for the past two centuries
This pattern of discrimination has depressed African Americans' employment and wages -- and is a significant cause of persistent racial wealth gaps
The trend began before the Civil War
By the early 1800s, many Northern states had banned slavery and were home to substantial numbers of free Black workers But starting in the 1820s, northern employers increasingly sought cheaper white immigrant workers from Europe -- which stalled Black economic momentum
After the Civil War, former slaves began migrating to northern states to staff the factories of a rapidly industrializing nation This led to huge jumps in African American skills, incomes, and even business ownership
Southern plantations and businesses despaired of their dwindling source of cheap labor But by the 1880s, they were rescued by the grand political and eco-
providers We are looking forward to studying the impacts on the workforce of caregivers who receive the training as well as the individuals who are cared for by the caregivers The IHSS program and the innovative training provided by the Center for Caregiver Advancement represent promising models for other states around the country that are considering new programs to support in-home caregiving," says Matt Notowidigdo, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Co-Scientific Director of J-PAL North America
UC San Francisco will conduct an impact study on the Alzheimer's program CCA is the only organization within California utilizing an evidence-informed curriculum that has already been tested and delivered to thousands of IHSS providers in California
CCA links skill development with increased wages: Caregivers will be paid their hourly wages for their time in training Those who complete the program can earn between $700 and $1,400
The Center for Caregiver Advancement is the largest provider of training for caregivers in California and has trained more than 20,000 nursing home workers and in-home caregivers http://www advancecaregivers or g
nomic bargaining that resulted in the Ellis Island-era "Great Wave of Immigration " Each year over the next four decades, an average of nearly 600,000 immigrants flowed primarily into northern labor markets
That largely blocked the flow of Black workers from the South In fact, many former slaves and their families moved back to the lower-wage South after they were displaced by desperate immigrants willing to accept low wages and appalling working conditions
By 1910, about 90% of all African Americans were still laboring as farm workers and household servants in the South
Finally, in 1924, public pressure -- including from notable Black leaders of the day like A Philip Randolph and W E B Du Bois -- forced Congress to drastically reduce annual immigration
The ensuing tightness in northern labor markets created demand for underemployed, underpaid southern workers Some six million African Americans left the South during the Great Migration made possible by tighter labor markets
By the 1960s, the share of Black households that were considered middle class had expanded from two in 10 to seven in 10
But the economic boom didn't last Congress reopened mass migration in the 1960s, and -- just as before -- economic progress ceased for most Black Americans
In response, federal commissions in the 1970s called on Congress to reduce immigration, but lawmakers instead heeded the concerns of employer lobbies that expressed fears of "worker shortages "
Instead of viewing tight job markets as an opportunity to bring more Black Americans into the workforce and close racial wealth gaps, Congress chose to enable businesses to fill jobs with foreign workers
In the decades since, the U S government has offered lifetime work authorization to more than 30 million immigrants, not counting millions of foreign workers who have entered the country illegally
The United States doesn't have a worker shortage Approximately four in
10 working-age African Americans with only high school diplomas don't have jobs Many would jump at the chance to work, if recruited at fair wages and working conditions
For two centuries, the labor shortage myth has been used to justify immigration policies that disadvantage Black Americans
Today, the median household wealth of descendants of American slavery remains much less than that of recent immigrants -- and less than 15% that of the descendants of European immigrants and settlers
Given our history, claims of a "worker shortage" should put any racially sensitive American on high alert
Roy Beck is the sole founder and former president of the NumbersUSA Education and Research Foundation, and the author of Back of the Hiring Line: A 200-Year History of Immigration Surges, Employer Bias, and Depression of Black Wealth This column originally appeared in the Washington Informer
CSUSB Honor s Accomplished Alumni at Inaugural Hall of Fame Awards
director of
SAVE THE DATE
Sunrise Ranch Master Plan Community Workshop No. 3
Join us for a conversation to help develop the vision for this unique property.
The third of four information and public listening sessions is planned for:
March 6, 2024
5:30 pm - 7 pm
Ayres Hotel 1495 W. Renaissance Pkwy Rialto, CA 92376
Community News
The inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame Awards honored the professional accomplishments and community service of eight distinguished CSUSB alumni on Feb 16 at the Santos Manuel Student Union North Ballrooms The evening was full of Coyote Pride with more than 300 guests at the dinner and awards ceremony, which featured a cocktail hour and musical performance
The three university-wide award honorees included:
Ellen Weisser ’68 (Distinguished Alumni Award): The award recognizes an achievement of noteworthy value, a series of such achievements, or a career or humanitarian effort of noteworthy accomplishment
Alberto Jasso ’15 (Emerging Leader Award): The award honors an individual who has made a positive impact in their community, industry or profession and has received their degree within the past 10 years
William “Bill” Stevenson ’84 (Coyote Spirit Award): The award honors an individual who has gone above and beyond to help advance the mission of
CSUSB as a dedicated volunteer
The Paw Print Awards, which recognized esteemed alumni from each of the university’s five colleges, were presented to Scott Keagy Smith ’91 (Jack H Brown College of Business and Public Administration), TaeWook Chun ’92 (College of Natural Sciences), Anthony Donatelli ’15 (College of Arts and Letters), Mary Jane McCoy ’67 (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences) and Juan Carlos Luna ’02, ’04, ’06 (James R Watson and Judy Rodriguez Watson College of Education)
Colton Joint Unified Superintendent Pr esents Updates on the New Walter Zimmer man Elementar y School
Community News
On February 7, Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) Superintendent Dr Frank Miranda presented an update on the new state-of-the-art Walter Zimmerman Elementary School project at the Bloomington Municipal Advisory Committee meeting
The project was made possible through months of negotiations between CJUSD and Howard Industrial Partners concerning the planned Bloomington Business Park project located between Jurupa Avenue and Santa Ana Avenue in Bloomington
“It’s been over 60 years since the last time a new elementary school was built in Bloomington, so we’re very excited about this project ” said Dr Miranda Subsequently, Dr Miranda detailed the process toward school board approval, emphasizing extensive community outreach, which has included a hands-on Design Symposium comprised of four meetings (three in-person, one online), as well as the
robust research and thought process behind the various project designs
Owen Chang, CJUSD’s director of facilities and energy management, then highlighted the incorporation of community feedback along with the data received from various studies to create a list of pros and cons for the different layouts
The presentation concluded with the forthcoming steps:
• Ongoing drafting and study of various designs tailored to meet the needs of Zimmerman students and parents as well as the Bloomington and CJUSD communities
• Analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act followed by Review/approval from various agencies
• The final stages encompass bidding and construction
The new school will incorporate cutting-edge technology,
advanced learning spaces and equipment, air filtration and soundproofing measures, and up-to-date security features
“We are excited to finally get a new school that the students and parents of Bloomington deserve,” said CJUSD Board President Frank A Ibarra “Empowering our youth and investing in our community with a new elementary school, after six decades, is a gift that will enhance our students’ education and build a stronger, thriving community ”
The project timeline is subject to resolution of outstanding litigation filed over the Bloomington Business Park following the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors' unanimous approval of the project in November 2022 It is hoped that the new school can be opened by August 2027
For additional information regarding the project, please visit zimmermanrebuild com
Scan for more information.
We’d love to hear from you!
About the Project
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District acquired 1,658 acres of undeveloped land, which we refer to as Sunrise Ranch.
San Bernardino Valley has engaged a group of consultants
info@sbvmwd.com sbvmwd.com
that are working with the community to develop a Master Plan for this property.
For more information about the Master Plan process and to provide feedback, visit sbvmwd.com/ SunriseRanch
San Ber nardino County Librar y
Hosts Cover to Cover Club
Community News
The San Bernardino County Library is partnering with In-N-Out Burger again this year to promote reading among children this spring The Cover to Cover program kicks off on Saturday, March 2 and will run through Saturday, April 13 This program will encourage students to read in all communities across the county
To participate in this program, sign up online through Beanstack at sbclib beanstack org For every five books or 300 pages read, an achievement award will be unlocked on Beanstack, and a voucher for a free hamburger or cheeseburger will be issued at your local County Library branch
Participants must be between the ages of 4 and 12 and must be present at the time of redemption to receive a voucher Each child may earn a total of three awards for the duration of the program
In support of the Countywide
Vision’s Vision2Read literacy campaign as well as San Bernardino County’s Opportunity Campaign, this program will help to improve literacy among children ages 4 to 12, with the help of incentives, by inspiring an excitement to read, providing achievement goals and encouraging a reading routine
The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area
The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home
The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision by contributing to educational, cultural and historical development of our county community
For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, please visit http://www sbclib/org/ or call (909) 387-2220
Amazon Cited f or Serious Health and Safety Violations at San Ber nardino War ehouse
St. Ber nardine Medical Center Achieves Designation as T hr ombectomy Capable Str oke Center
Community News
Dignity Health St Bernardine Medical Center is proud to announce its designation as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, underscoring the Hospital’s commitment to providing advanced and comprehensive stroke care to our community
Thrombectomy is a life-saving procedure that involves the removal of blood clots from the brain, significantly improving outcomes for stroke patients As a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center, St Bernardine has met rigorous standards and criteria set forth by regulatory bodies, demonstrating its ability to deliver timely and specialized care to individuals experiencing acute stroke symptoms
"We are incredibly proud to announce St Bernardine Medical Center ’s achievement of becoming a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center”, shares Doug Kleam, Hospital President “This designation reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare and underscores our dedication to providing the highest level of care to our community The ability to perform thrombectomy procedures positions us at the forefront of stroke care, empowering us to make
a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients ”
To be eligible for the certification, the hospital was required to meet strict guidelines that include performing EVT on a minimum of 15 patients in the past year, or 30 patients in the past two years, and the capability to perform EVT around the clock, seven days a week The hospital’s primary neurointerventionalists the physicians who routinely perform emergency mechanical thrombectomy also must meet the highest standards of subspecialty training
"Becoming a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center is a significant milestone for St Bernardine Medical Center This designation reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, life-saving care to stroke patients in our community”, states Dr Piotr Bzdyra, Stroke Medical Director “We are proud to be at the forefront of stroke care and will continue to prioritize excellence in patient outcomes "
This designation is a testament to St Bernardine’s dedication to advancing healthcare and improving the lives of those we serve We look forward to continuing to meet the evolving needs of our community through innovation, compassion, and excellence in healthcare
Community News
In groundbreaking citations, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, cited Amazon five times including two serious violations for endangering workers in the high heat
Last summer, after weeks of scorching temperatures and poor safety protections, workers who are members of the Inland Empire Amazon Workers United (IEAWU) at the Amazon KSBD air hub in San Bernardino filed a complaint with the state agency Cal/OSHA immediately opened an investigation conducting multiple on-site inspections and interviews with workers
Cal/OSHA substantiated the majority of workers’ concerns, finding that outdoor workers did not have adequate access to drinking water or shade nor were supervisors and employees adequately trained to keep workers safe in the heat
“We saw that Amazon was more concerned with loading and unloading the planes as fast as possible than with our safety,” said Regina Hermann, who works on the ramp at the Amazon air hub “We work out on the tarmac without enough shade and sometimes without enough water Last summer was scary It got so hot and we did not always have enough water to drink or time to let our bodies cool down We sometimes had to crouch or stand under the planes for shade We knew we had to do something before someone was seriously injured ”
In the citation, Cal/OSHA investigators wrote: “The employer utilized the shadow under the Boeing 767-300 as shade in the ramp area for employees to take their preventable cooldown rest The employees only stand and are not able to rest and sit in a normal posture while under the aircraft for preventive
cool-down rest ”
Daily temperatures in San Bernardino are increasingly over 90 and even 100°F Last July the temperature reached as high as 106°F on July 25 Ramp workers at the San Bernardino air hub are regularly exposed to this extreme heat working outside on the tarmac, often in the blazing sun Inside the warehouse, workers also complained about hazardous conditions with poor air circulation and very strenuous physical workloads
The citations come after workers with IEAWU have repeatedly called for safe working conditions from Amazon during high heat Workers have organized multiple delegations to Amazon management to demand better protections for their safety, including shaded areas with seating for everyone working outside, consistent heat break practices, and the right to take preventative cool-down breaks as needed In 2021, IEAWU documented extremely high temperatures at KSBD and demanded better protections They won some improvements, including new break areas and fans in some indoor areas, but after seeing inconsistencies and dangerous conditions during the recent heat wave, workers are taking action again to protect themselves
“It takes a tremendous amount of courage to stand up to a company as large and as powerful as Amazon Workers in San Bernardino did that and they won,” said Tim Shadix, attorney and legal director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, which assisted the workers with the complaint “Their actions will have a positive impact on the health and safety of thousands more people, “On its own Amazon was failing to provide these basic protections for workers against the heat, but workers at the air hub used their power to hold this behemoth accountable ”
Redlands Man Ar r ested f or Attempted Murder After Striking Victim with Car
Community News
Redlands Police arrested a 21-year-old Redlands man for attempted murder Tuesday, Feb 20
Officers responded to the 1100 block of Alabama Street at about 10:30 p m Tuesday following a report of a man being struck by a vehicle Police arrived and found the 20-year-old victim on the ground and two vehicles in the parking lot with collision damage
The victim and witnesses reported the suspect, Harman Singh, intentionally struck the man with his vehicle, a 2017 Toyota Camry, as the victim at-
tempted to dodge out of the way
When the victim attempted to escape, the suspect repositioned his vehicle and accelerated toward him a second time, striking him again and pinning him against another vehicle
Singh was arrested at the scene
He is being held at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino in lieu of $1 million bail
The victim was transported to the hospital with broken bones and an abrasion to his head
Anyone with information regarding crime or suspicious activity is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681 ext 1
By Manny Sandoval
San Bernardino County Fire Department (SBCoFD) crews were stretched thin on February 24 as they responded to two structure fires that erupted within minutes of each other in the downtown area of San Bernardino The simultaneous fires, one residential and the other commercial, demanded a rapid and coordinated response to prevent further damage and ensure public safety
The first blaze was reported at 9:36 a m in the 200 block of East Olive Street "911 callers stated smoke and fire were emanating from a home," said Battalion Chief Mike Mcclintock, SBCoFD's Public Information Officer
Engine 221, already in the vicinity, arrived on the
scene within two minutes to find heavy smoke billowing from a single-story residence Firefighters quickly launched an attack, battling the flames and conducting a thorough search for any occupants
"Despite barred windows and heavy smoke conditions, our crews were able to knock the fire down rapidly, thanks to their swift response," Mcclintock added The fire was successfully contained, with no victims found inside the home A total of four engines, a truck company, a medic squad, a fire investigator, and a battalion chief responded to the scene
Shortly thereafter, at 9:39 a m , another call dispatched crews to the 300 block of West 4th Street, where a commercial building was reported ablaze Firefighters arrived to find smoke emerging from a 20,000
square-foot, three-story commercial structure
They quickly entered the smoke-filled building, working to locate and extinguish the fire, which was confined to the first floor within 15 minutes of their arrival "Two occupants were discovered inside the vacant building and were safely evacuated," Mcclintock reported The response to this fire involved six engines, two truck companies, a medic squad, a fire investigator, and a battalion chief
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident Although the fires occurred close to each other, they appear to be unrelated The cause and origin of each fire are currently under investigation by SBCoFD investigators To maintain uninterrupted fire and EMS coverage for the area, multiple "move-up" engines were dispatched to cover the vacant fire stations
