In a ceremony held December 1, 2009 at the California Emergency Medical Service Commission meeting, Commission Chair Bruce Lee and State EMS Authority Director Dr. Steve Tharratt presented Contra Costa EMS Medical Director Dr. Joseph Barger with the award of “EMS Medical Director of the Year.” That award was presented to Dr. Barger in recognition for his contributions to the betterment of EMS care statewide, including his service as chair of the Statewide EMS Scope of Practice Committee that advises the California EMS Authority on matters related to Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic scope of practice and on approval of trial studies undertaken by local EMS agencies to advance emergency medical care in the field.
Dr. Barger joined the Contra Costa Health Services in 1980 where he has served as an emergency physician, as Chief of Emergency, and continues to serve as a Deputy Health Officer. In 1996, Dr. Barger was appointed as Contra Costa’s EMS Medical Director where he has provided continuous high quality medical leadership to the EMS program, including initiation of the County’s highly successful ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) program. This EMS program helps assure that victims of serious heart attacks receive rapid intervention at a hospital with cardiac catheterization capability. Dr. Barger also serves as Medical Director for each of the County’s fire first responder paramedic programs, including Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, El Cerrito Fire Department, Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District, Pinole Fire Department, Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District, and San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District.