Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed two new members to the Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services, a move meant to enhance and guide the emergency and trauma services in Texas. According to a press release from the Governor's office, Brian Petrilla of Tomball and Rodney Tidwell of Post will join the Council, their terms set to conclude at the dawn of 2030.
Petrilla brings a wealth of experience, spanning over three decades in emergency medical services and firefighting, an assistant chief at Fort Bend County EMS at present he is no stranger to the pressures and demands of critical emergency management and operation; his storied career includes a 25-year stint with the City of Houston Fire Department where his roles diversified from Firefighter Paramedic to Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. Petrilla carries a plethora of certifications under his belt, a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field.
Tidwell, currently a field paramedic with University Medical Center EMS and an administrator for the Post-Garza County EMS, also has a history of community service, including time as a City Council Member and as a volunteer firefighter Tidwell's background provides a ground-level perspective to the Council, rounded out with an EMS Certificate from South Plains College.
The Advisory Council's key mission is advisement, proposing modifications to the state's EMS/Trauma System to ensure that communities throughout Texas have access to efficient and comprehensive emergency care, according to the Governor’s press release. With the appointments of Petrilla and Tidwell, the Council gains a combined expertise that is likely to contribute significantly to the evolution and refinement of emergency medical services in Texas.
