Pasadena Fire Department Announces New Medical Director

The Pasadena Fire Department has named Dr. Roger Yang as its new Medical Director in an announcement today.

In this position, Dr. Yang provides advice and coordinates the medical aspects of field care as defined by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Agency, the statement said.

“We are excited to have one of our highly qualified, local physicians join our team as we strive to maintain our status as a world-leader in the Fire Service, and provide the highest quality of services and care to our community,” Fire Chief Bertral Washington said.

Dr. Yang now provides medical expertise to enhance the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provided by the Pasadena Fire Department. The Medical Director advises the department in planning and evaluating the delivery of pre-hospital medical care by Firefighter Emergency Medical Technicians and Firefighter Paramedics in collaboration with the Paramedic Coordinator EMS Educator.

Dr. Yang’s position reports directly to the Pasadena Fire Department and works closely with the Fire Departments EMS Coordinator and the EMS Educator.

Dr. Yang grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri with the highest honors in Biochemistry and Applied Physics. He holds a medical degree and a Master’s of Science in Cellular and Molecular Physiology. He came to southern California for his internship and residency in emergency medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. In 1999, Dr. Yang began his work in the emergency department at Huntington Hospital. He has held many chair and vice-chair positions in his time at Huntington Hospital including Chair, Pharmacy, Therapeutics and Diet Committee and Chair, Emergency Services Committee.

In his spare time Dr. Yang said he enjoys spending time with his wife, Rebecca, a Pharmacist, who graduated from the same class at USC, and his two children: Zackary (12) and Zoey (8). They enjoy taking vacations together to tropical places. He stays active by playing tennis and lifting weights.

The Pasadena Fire Department is one of only 42 fire departments worldwide who have achieved both Accredited Agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation and a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO).