Brenda Mason joined Idaho’s South Central Public Health District in 2019, shortly before COVID hit. “It was crazy,” said Mason. “We had about six months for me to really settle in and understand my role before everything shifted,” said Mason. “It changed quickly, and I had to adapt just as fast, but it gave me a new perspective on the work and the importance of staying flexible.”
Long-term care in the region was hit hard. At first patients with COVID were taken to the hospital. “But we couldn’t allow that kind of surge in the hospitals,” said Mason. “So we built a response team that could go directly into facilities to conduct testing, and we partnered with outside providers to care for patients where they were. It was about meeting people in place and making sure they got the care they needed without overwhelming the system.”
Six years later, Mason and her team are still analyzing and applying the lessons they learned from COVID as they plan for infectious disease outbreaks across the eight counties served by their public health district. Mason works with the Region 10 Special Pathogens Group, sitting on a committee for highly contagious infectious disease. “We are working on what we would do if we had a case—how that would be taken care of at our local hospitals, by local EMS [Emergency Medical Services] and then perhaps transported to a level one treatment center in Spokane.”
For 25 years before Mason took her position with the South Central Public Health District she worked as a ground paramedic, flight paramedic, paramedic educator and as the section manager for the EMS Bureau, where she worked with all of the EMS agencies in Idaho.
“Public health is part of the first responder community,” said Mason. “So I’ve been familiar with and worked in pieces of public health for probably the last 25 years.”
Mason grew up in the small town of Dos Rios on the Eel River in Northern California. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College and moved to Idaho’s Magic Valley in 1995. “At the time, our oldest son was very ill, and doctors believed it was related to environmental factors,” said Mason. “We made the decision to move to Idaho, and we’ve been here ever since.” After the move, her son’s health improved dramatically.
Mason loves living in Idaho for the scenery and the people. “It’s just spectacular here,” she said. “We are fortunate to live in a part of the United States that experiences fewer large-scale natural disasters. Without frequent exposure to major events like hurricanes or tornadoes, there can be less emphasis on preparedness. My current focus is on reinforcing the importance of being prepared for a range of potential incidents, ensuring our communities are ready to respond effectively regardless of the situation.”
South Central Idaho experiences its share of wildfires and severe weather including high winds, heavy snow and extreme heat. “Idaho is a very self-sufficient state,” said Mason. “Residents here tend to take care of themselves and support one another, which shapes how they approach preparedness.”
Advancing community preparedness is a passion for Mason. “As a paramedic, caring for people has always been at the heart of what I do,” said Mason. “I see preparedness as another level of caring for people. Helping our communities become safer and more resilient is personal to me, because those communities include my family, my friends and the people I care about every day.” She also enjoys working with county emergency managers. “They are really the heavy lifters,” said Mason. “We work really well with them, and they’re the best partners you can have.”
In 2025, Mason was invited to attend the Northwest Center for Evidence-Based Emergency Preparedness and Response (NWPHEPR)’s inaugural Crisis Leadership Institute in Seattle, joining 15 other regional partners from state agencies, local health jurisdictions and Tribal Nations for a one-day event focused on five core competencies—sense making, coordinating teamwork, decision-making, communications and facilitating learning—plus Tribal communications.
“I was impressed with the work that’s been done,” said Mason. “I believe it will have a meaningful impact on public health, especially as we rebuild after losing many experienced leaders following COVID. This effort can play an important role in supporting and guiding the next generation stepping into those leadership roles.”
Mason also appreciated being in the same room as other preparedness experts. “When you are able to meet them and talk with them about their challenges and our challenges you realize that those challenges aren’t always so far apart.” She is still getting together virtually with the other attendees on a regular basis through monthly listening sessions with the ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) cohort.
Mason’s experiences with the NWPHEPR have inspired her to become the newest member of its Steering Committee to help guide future interventions. “I think continuing collaboration between all of us and then being able to take the models and the information that they’ve put together to share with not only our region but our neighboring regions—I think that’s going to be huge,” Mason said. “I can’t remember anything like that happening before.”