Mike Smith and Dino Beltz, emergency services leaders from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Fire Department, recently received top honors from the California Emergency Medical Services Authority for their contributions to emergency medical care across the state.

“This award represents not the achievements of one person, but the collective accomplishments of an amazing team,” Smith, who is vice president of Emergency Services and Tribal Wellness, said in a news release. “The leadership, EMS professionals and unwavering support of the tribe have made this possible. Our partnerships with tribal governments, local agencies and health-care providers are the foundation of our success.”

Smith, longtime and former San Manuel fire chief, received the California Emergency Medical Services Authority’s Distinguished Service Medal, one of only 10 such awards presented annually among more than 86,000 licensed EMS professionals in California, according to the news release. The award honors people whose career achievements and sustained service have had a statewide impact on emergency medical services.

Smith joined San Manuel in 2000 and became its first fire chief in 2002. He led the San Manuel Fire Department to national recognition, including achieving a Class 1 ISO (Insurance Services Office) Public Protection Classification. The department ranks among the top 1% nationwide in training, equipment, fire prevention, staffing and emergency response, according to the news release.

Smith created San Manuel’s Public Health and EMS departments and has been an advocate for California Assembly Bill 798, which allows tribal fire departments to provide first-response care.

Beltz, a 24-year battalion chief with the San Manuel Fire Department, was named 2024 EMS Educator of the Year for the state of California. Motivated by his son Noah, who is on the autism spectrum, Beltz created the Neurodivergent Operational Awareness (NOA(h)) training program.

The initiative equips first responders with tools to better recognize and compassionately engage with neurodivergent people and promotes understanding of how brain differences affect communication, behavior and thinking, according to the news release. The training fosters safer, more inclusive interactions between emergency personnel and people with special needs.

“Being a father of a child with autism has opened my eyes to the tremendous need for this type of education,” Beltz said in the news release. “Noah was the spark that started all of this. This award is an opportunity to give a voice to the special needs community and help first responders better serve them.”

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland.

For information, go to san manuel-nsn.gov.