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You cannot compare EMS systems in King and Pierce counties. With the exception of Seattle, the EMS system is consistant throughout all of King County. Even though all agencies in King County follow the KC EMS protocols, Seattle uses a different method for criteria based dispatching. Seattle's method yields a noticeably inflated ALS call volume. The rest of King County has taken steps to decrease the load on ALS resources. They have made changes to their dispatch protocols and changed what constitues and ALS type call.

While I don't know all the differences with Pierce counties system, it has quite a few agencies with paramedic/emt units and paramedics on engine and ladders. The different ways to deliver ALS services has indeed been debated over the years.

The double paramedic units that are in service in King County will most likely never change. This concept is backed by all parties associated with the medical control/oversight of the program.

Additionally, when you get many units with units with only one paramedic on each of those units, you begin to dilute skills. If there are too few opportunities to perform ALS skills (IV's, intubations, central lines, etc.) the quality of medicine will decline.

The ALS providers in King County are part of a very unique EMS model. Simply being a nationally registered paramedic is not enough. Paramedic students are subjected to many more hours of schooling. They have many more chances to practice their skills while riding Seattle medic units and then also while at Harborview.

The EMS system in King County works great, has excellent statistics that support the model. And, the county and all involved pride themselves on the fact that they don't charge for services and/or transports.

I too beleive the South King County Medics will be a part of a larger regional department at some points. When--who knows. But I'm sure it'll be in my career.

One thing that seems to be forgotten in this whole discussion is that the citizens of KCFPD #26 have to vote to approve the merger with Federal Way. I think it's safe to say that it's not yet a done deal, as you never know how the vote will go. Recently one of the commissioners of District 26 was quoted in the paper as being opposed to the merger because the commissioners would be elected district wide as opposed to by smaller districts a la the King County Council. I think it's safe to say that the two districts merging would be a good deal for all of the parties involved, especially the citizens, but you never know how they'll vote.

If 26 and 39 merge, I think it's just a matter of time before 2 and 11 join them. Auburn is also chomping at the bit to get involved, but it's more complex with them because they're a city and not a fire district. Once Auburn's in, then who knows? Mountain View? Then you're talking about a very large geographic area and potentially a very large amount of cost savings by eliminating that much overhead.

Auburn Fire Department also gets county money because they cover a fire district as well as the cities of Auburn and Algona.

Nick

You're correct it isn't a done deal. But you’re also correct that it's in the best interest of everyone. I understand the concern about commissioners being elected district wide But the fact that Des Moines will have 5 FF's working everyday, and that both departments will benefit from combining special ops teams and the fact that as chiefs retire more FF’s will be hired should make the decision very easy for the citizens. Change is tough for everyone, but when it makes sense for everyone involved that can't be ignored. Both departments need to make sure that all areas feel like their properly represented and that people are informed and listen too. The days of one station departments are coming to an end. The overhead cost is just to great. We never know what the citizens will do. You might notice as you drive thru the area that you see lots of "Yes" signs and I haven't seen one "NO" sign yet. It's important that both departments inform the citizens of Des Moines of the fact behind the merger and than let the citizens decided. When it's all laid out I personal believe it's hard to see why anyone would vote against the merger. From what I have heard it seems like the community groups understand why it's happening and seem to be supporting it.

It also would make sense because as it is right now when Federal Way has a water rescue incident they have to call Des Moines Marine 26 for mutual aid which of course costs Federal Way money. Also Des Moines has to call Federal Way Mutual Aid for Hazmat incidents with causes Des Moines money.

Nick

We have mutual aid agreements and it doesn't cost either department money. To asst the other

Oh ok my mistake

Yes and no. They may still get fire district money, which is not really the same as "county" money, if there is any area left of District 31. And they are paid by contract to cover the City of Algona, which is a city, and isn't money from the county. In any event, they're not a fire district, which makes merging with other fire districts slightly more complicated, although not impossibly so.

Does anybody know if all of District 31's territory has been annexed by Auburn? I don't think there's anything left, or if there is, it's just a tiny sliver like District 24 and SeaTac.

Of course, you assume that people are intelligent enough to vote based on the facts and what's best for them. I don't necessarily assume that. :roll:

In any event, at least they're using a merger model rather than the Eastside Fire & Rescue model that is constantly on the verge of tearing apart.

Yes there is still part of District 31. I'm not sure how much or the location. The is the way they could merger with another district in the area. Or they could use the fire authority bill.

The Des Moines citizens with over 80% says yes to Des Moines and Federal Way merging into one department called South County Fire and Rescue. Could this be just the beginning?[b][/b]

Will when they first started talking of the merger it included four fire departments/districts.

Federal Way Fire Department/King County Fire District 39
Des Moines Fire Department/King County Fire District 26
Burien Fire Department/King County Fire District 2
North Highline Fire District/King County Fire District 11

Of course now it will only be Federal Way and District 26 for the time being with station numbers 26, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 68.

North Highline and Burien have consolidated services which is why they jointly staff Battalion 18.

Nick

I think a lot of people have realized that taking this on one department at a time, has a lot less headaches for everyone.

Absolutely. The question then becomes, what's the easiest way for Burien and North Highline to merge into South King? Do 2 and 11 merge together first, then into S. King? Or do they merge one by one into S. King? I think it's probably inevitable that eventually they will all be together.

The way I understood was that 2 and 11 would merge together and then eventually that department would merge into south king.

I think we are going to be seeing a lot more mergers in the months to come.

Nick