Board of Commissioners
Meet the Board
The Valley Countywide EMS District is governed by three commissioners representing communities throughout Valley County. Each commissioner lives within one of the District’s three geographic subdistricts and serves as a voice for the residents of that area.
The Board oversees the District’s budget, policies, contracts and long-term planning. Commissioners meet publicly each month to review operations, discuss the needs of the countywide EMS system and make decisions about how District resources are managed.
Commissioners serve staggered terms, helping provide continuity while giving Valley County voters an ongoing role in the governance of their emergency medical services.
Travis Smith
Position
Travis Smith is a lifelong Idahoan with more than 30 years of experience in fire service and emergency medical care. He began his career with the Pocatello Fire Department in 1994, where he advanced from firefighter to Assistant Chief of Operations. A paramedic for nearly three decades, Travis has served in both ground and air medical transport and as a Critical Care Paramedic Program Manager and instructor.
In 2020, Travis joined the McCall Fire Department as Deputy Chief of Operations, serving for four years before retiring. He now leads the development of the Brundage Mountain Fire District/Fire Association and currently serves as Acting Fire Chief for the McCall Fire Department while its chief is on leave. As a Valley Countywide EMS District Commissioner, Travis is committed to strengthening emergency medical services and ensuring the district continues to provide exceptional care for the residents and visitors of Valley County.
Joel R. Ockunzzi
EMS Commissioner
Raised in a first responder family, Joel R. Ockunzzi developed a lifelong commitment to public service that continues to guide his work today. He brings more than 48 years of executive leadership and operations management experience across the private and public sectors, including serving as Western Division President for an international energy services company and as a multi-state real estate broker and business owner.
From 2008 to 2016, Joel served as a Jackson County, Oregon Planning Commissioner, where he worked to protect private property rights and promote responsible stewardship of public and private lands. Today, he is dedicated to helping ensure Valley Countywide EMS District delivers high-quality emergency medical services through responsible governance, sound fiscal oversight, and a commitment to serving the residents of Valley County.