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Is this unit still a part time unit in the Des Moines area or is it now full time? I am asking because when it first started up it was part time from 0900 to 2100 each day, but I have been hearing them get toned out as late as 2300 and as early as 0600.

I noted that Medic 13 was at Auburn Regional Medical Center this afternoon so I stopped to ask the crew.
They advised that Medic 13 is still officially part time, 0900-2100 hrs. They also advise however, that when manpower allows, it will run longer hours. The official answer though is that it is still an 0900-2100 operation.
Gampawayne

Gampawayne,

Thanks for the information. They must of been handling a call for Medic 8 and transported to Auburn when you noticed them down there.

Your welcome.
The odd thing was that while we were talking, Aid 81 from Maple Valley pulled into the ambulance entrance. The only thing I could think of was that they may have had a call on or close to Hwy 18 and ARMC was closer than Valley or another hospital. I see A-81 in there every once in a while.
Gampawayne

Every once in a while I will see a Seattle Medic unit coming or going to Highline Medical Center in Burien. Odd to see the "big city" boys down south.Thanks again.

I know that sometimes a patient will want to go to a certain hospital. Probably when you see A81 at ARMC they probably had a patient whose doctor is at ARMC and that is where they wanted to go. I have seen East Pierce units transport to Auburn also.

Nick

I take it -- from reading this post -- that Medic 13 is only a part time -- 12 hour a day unit -- based upon funding. The Fire District -- should fight fire -- with fire. A strong Advertizing Program -- based on "LUCKY Medic 13" -- might get the message accross to the media and the public about the need for funds to keep this unit in service -- fulltime. This is not a joke. If you needed an EMS unit -- Medic 13 could be your lucky number.

Let's not forget that M-13's hours of service are not arbitrary. 0900-2100 is considered "peak-time."

Also keep in mind, that the natural progression towards a full-time ALS unit is to first get in service as a 12-hour unit. This is how it is outlined in the KCEMS ALS planning. Remember M-12? It was a 12-hour unit, but now it is 24 hours.

On another note, it is quite common for Seattle M-32 to transport patients to Highline Medical Center. I don't quite get the "big city" notion as a reason NOT to transport to a hospital outside of Seattle. Maybe I misunderstood that post.

Also, M-32 is the fourth due medic unit for North Highline and North Burien. It doesn't happen very often, but when medics 4, 5, 7 and 13 are out of service, M-32 will cruise south and help out.

What I meant about "big city" boys is that it was just strange to see the largest city in the state's fire department that far south as I've seen them in the White Center area but not in Burien.
I've seen Grays Harbor Medic units going code on northbound I-5 in the Federal Way area so nothing against any other medic unit going whever the patient needs to go, just get them there.

Remember, there is only 1 "Level 1 Trauma Center" in the State of Washington, and that is Harborview. Also note that it is against most EMS Protocals to pass an E.R. if the patient is having Chest Pain, unless the E.R. is on Diversion, which is happening more offten since more and more people with out health care insurence are using the E.R. as there primary health care provider.

You mention that Harborview is the only level one trauma center in the state. I know there are different levels of trauma centers. As an example I believe Auburn Regional is a level three. Can anyone explain what the different levels are and give example hospitals of each? I have wondered before about this.

There are other Trauma Centers in the State, Level II and III. Level 1 means that they can handle all emergencies with all available types of Doctors's and equipment. Level II & III have limited capability.

Note: Fort Lewis Madigan Hospital is an unofficial Levei I and civillians will be taken there if a trauma occurs on I-5 or near the Fort.