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ADDITIONAL
MEDIC UNIT STARTS WORK IN SHORELINE
Shoreline
Medic One now has 24-hour paramedic coverage in
three locations: Shoreline, Bothell, and
Kenmore/ Lake Forest Park. Starting January 1,
King County Medic One began providing funds for
a full-time (24-hour) medic unit responding out
of Lake Forest Park. Previously, that unit,
Medic 65, had been available only during a
daytime 12-hour shift.
The additional coverage, from 8PM to 8AM in the
central section of the district allows faster
advanced life support (ALS) paramedic response
to calls in that area. Previously, paramedic
calls overnight in that area were handled by
Medic 63, stationed at 185th and Fremont, or
Medic 47, the unit stationed in Bothell.
Within a day of starting the 24 hour shift, a
man suffered cardiac arrest in his home, and was
revived by paramedic crews from the new unit.
Typically, firefighter EMTs arrive at such calls
and begin CPR within about 4 minutes. Highly
trained paramedic crews arrive a short time
later, with treatments such as IV cardiac
medications, breathing tubes and other advanced
life-saving technology.
“The added coverage made a difference in this
case because of response time for the paramedic
unit,” said Deputy Chief Dave Jones. “We had
other calls in the district and in neighboring
jurisdictions simultaneously that night, and the
cardiac arrest call might have been handled by
paramedics summoned from much further away.”
Shoreline Fire has also designated a 24-hour aid
car to respond out of Station 65 (145 NE 155th
St.). The additional crew adds two firefighters
there on a 24-hour basis, enhancing availability
for 9-1-1 fire and medical emergency calls in
that area.
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