Emergency Medical Services Division

When Every Second Counts, We're There

Heart attacks don't wait for business hours. Neither do we. Our EMTs and paramedics provide advanced medical care 24/7 across Orcas Island, from routine medical calls to life-threatening emergencies that demand immediate, expert intervention.

Island EMS is Different

Forget "load and go" mainland EMS. On Orcas Island, our EMTs provide comprehensive, extended patient care that often lasts an hour or more. We're not just transporters - we're medical caregivers.

The Reality of Island Medicine

Distance changes everything:

  • Mainland hospitals are a ferry ride away - we provide definitive care, not just transport

  • Extended patient contact allows for thorough assessment and treatment

  • Limited backup means every EMT must be skilled and confident

  • Weather and ferry schedules affect evacuation timing

  • Remote locations require specialized equipment and techniques

Always a Paramedic on Duty

Here's what sets OIFR apart: There's always at least one career paramedic on every shift. This isn't luck or hope - it's our commitment to advanced life support when you need it most.

Our staffing model:

  • Career paramedic provides ALS (Advanced Life Support) capabilities

  • Career firefighter/EMT works alongside the paramedic each shift

  • Volunteer EMTs respond from home and stations across the island

  • Team approach ensures comprehensive patient care

Beyond Basic Life Support

Our volunteer EMTs don't just do basic care. Working alongside paramedics, they often assist with advanced procedures that mainland EMTs never see:

  • IV therapy and medication administration

  • Advanced airway management

  • Cardiac monitoring and 12-lead EKGs

  • Complex trauma care

  • Critical care prior to air transport

This isn't your typical EMS experience - it's advanced medical practice.

Our Call Volume: 80% of Everything We Do

EMS calls dominate our response statistics - approximately 80% of all OIFR responses are medical emergencies. That's hundreds of calls annually, each one requiring skilled, compassionate care.

We respond to:

  • Cardiac emergencies and heart attacks

  • Stroke and neurological emergencies

  • Traumatic injuries from accidents and falls

  • Respiratory emergencies and difficulty breathing

  • Diabetic emergencies and medication reactions

  • Overdoses and poisoning

  • Psychiatric emergencies requiring crisis intervention

  • Routine medical transport for island residents

Specialized Island Skills

Marine and Remote Rescue

Island EMTs and responders go where others can't:

  • Marine rescues from boats and waterfront emergencies

  • Vehicle extrication working with rescue teams

  • Wilderness medicine for hikers and remote locations

  • Big Wheel operations - specialized off-road gurneys for forest and rough terrain transport

Air Medical Coordination

We coordinate approximately 300 air transports annually:

  • Helicopter landing zone management at seven island sites

  • Patient preparation for air transport

  • Advanced care coordination with flight crews

  • Critical care during loading and takeoff

Equipment Mastery

Every piece of equipment matters in remote medicine:

  • Ambulance operation and driving in all conditions

  • Gurney and stair chair operation

  • Advanced cardiac monitors and diagnostic equipment

  • Specialized rescue equipment for difficult extractions

  • Big Wheel patient transport systems for wilderness rescues

Medical Supervision and Protocols

We operate under strict medical oversight:

  • Department medical supervisor provides protocols and guidance

  • Real-time consultation during critical calls

  • Advanced procedure authorization for complex cases

  • Continuous quality improvement through case review

  • Evidence-based medicine with latest protocols and procedures

Training Never Stops

EMT Academy

New EMTs complete comprehensive training:

  • Intensive classroom instruction covering all body systems

  • Hands-on skills practice with real equipment

  • Clinical rotations for real-world experience

  • State certification upon successful completion

Ongoing Education

Skills stay current through regular training:

  • Twice-monthly training sessions

  • Run reviews analyzing real calls for improvement

  • Skills practice maintaining proficiency

  • New technology integration as medicine advances

  • Specialized workshops for advanced techniques

Recertification Requirements

Maintaining certification requires:

  • Annual recertification through continuing education

  • Skills verification with practical demonstrations

  • Protocol updates as medical standards evolve

  • Quality assurance through case review

Career Pathways

OIFR EMS experience opens doors. Our comprehensive training and real-world experience have launched careers for many volunteers:

  • Paramedics advancing to ALS practice

  • Flight medics providing air medical transport

  • Registered nurses in hospital and clinical settings

  • Physician assistants and physicians

  • Other healthcare professions building on EMS foundation

The skills you learn here transfer everywhere in medicine.

Working with Fire and Rescue

EMS doesn't work in isolation. Our EMTs work closely with:

  • Fire suppression teams on structure fires with injuries

  • Rescue teams for technical extractions and water rescue

  • Wildland crews for remote medical emergencies

  • Multi-agency responses requiring diverse skills

Many of our members serve in multiple divisions - the skills complement each other perfectly.

The Emotional Reality

EMS work touches hearts and changes lives:

  • You'll hold someone's hand during their worst moment

  • You'll save lives through skilled intervention

  • You'll comfort families facing medical crises

  • You'll work miracles with knowledge and compassion

  • You'll face loss and learn to cope with grief

  • You'll make differences that last lifetimes

Room for Everyone

EMS welcomes people from all backgrounds:

  • No medical experience required - we'll train you completely

  • Career changers bringing life experience

  • Young adults starting healthcare careers

  • Experienced healthcare workers wanting to serve

  • Retirees contributing skills and wisdom

What matters is your commitment to helping others.

The Island Advantage

Working EMS on Orcas Island offers unique advantages:

  • Extended patient contact for thorough care

  • Advanced skills training beyond typical EMT scope

  • Close mentorship with experienced paramedics

  • Diverse call types providing comprehensive experience

  • Career development opportunities in healthcare

  • Meaningful work protecting your own community

Ready to Save Lives?

Emergency Medical Services needs dedicated people who:

  • Want to help others during medical crises

  • Can remain calm under extreme pressure

  • Are willing to learn continuously and thoroughly

  • Can work as part of a medical team

  • Are physically and emotionally capable of demanding work

We'll teach you everything you need to know.

What's Next?

Interested in EMS? Contact us to learn about:

  • EMT Academy schedules and requirements

  • Ride-alongs to experience actual medical calls

  • Training opportunities and time commitments

  • Career pathway guidance in healthcare fields

Contact Information:

  • Phone: (360) 376-2331

  • Email: info@orcasfire.org

  • Visit: Eastsound Fire Station for a tour

Ready to answer the call when someone's life depends on it?