RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — CAL FIRE Capt. Brook Hoalton of the Humboldt-Del Norte Unit has been named California’s 2025 EMS Educator of the Year, honoring her leadership, dedication and long-standing contributions to emergency medical services education.
Hoalton serves as EMS coordinator for the Humboldt-Del Norte Unit and oversees the training and clinical readiness of more than 400 personnel in one of California’s most remote regions, the Northcoast Journal reported.
| RESOURCE: Functional fitness for the frontlines: Weekly workout plan
Officials said her work helps ensure firefighters and other emergency responders are prepared to deliver high-level prehospital care despite long transport times and limited infrastructure.
Hoalton started her career as a Fire Fighter I and has spent more than 20 years training EMS providers and is widely respected for her hands-on teaching and mentorship.
“Through years of leadership, she has built a culture of EMS training excellence, guiding and preparing hundreds of responders to deliver high-quality care in one of California’s most challenging regions,” Training Chief Sean Wilson said.
Hoalton’s work also extends beyond her local agency. She serves on the county Medical Advisory Committee, mentors EMT students at the community college level, supports fire academy cadets and helps train members of the California Conservation Corps.
Hoalton also serves on CAL FIRE’s statewide Emergency Medical Services Committee, where she helps review policy and represent the needs of rural providers. She is also a training specialist with California Incident Management Team 4 and volunteers with Camp Cinder, which supports young women pursuing fire service careers.
The California EMS Awards Program recognizes outstanding work in emergency medical services, including advocacy, heroism, innovation and other contributions that strengthen EMS across the state.
The program honors a wide range of recipients, including EMS personnel, physicians, nurses, EMTs, other healthcare providers, local officials, law enforcement officers, community members and first responders.
