KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Residents in Seattle & King County continue to be well-served by a world-class pre-hospital emergency medical system. The Emergency Medical Services 2007 Annual Report, issued by Public Health - Seattle & King County, highlights the major activities, service achievements, ongoing projects and new initiatives in the region.

“Nearly one in ten King County residents directly benefits from the services of Medic One and Emergency Medical Services every year, and many are alive today because of it,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “You will not find a more efficient, effective regional system in the country that delivers on its promise to the public every day.”

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in King County operates in a coordinated partnership with five dispatch centers, seven paramedic providers, and 31 fire departments. In 2006, the EMS system in Seattle & King County responded to 166,941 total calls, 52,136 of which were for Advanced Life Services (ALS). On average, it took less than five minutes from the time an emergency call arrived at dispatch to time of arrival at the scene by EMS personnel. Average response times continue to remain stable despite continued growth in both population and call volumes over the past five years.

“Our regional system is quite remarkable for its success in providing excellent and consistent services countywide,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “One of the most critical measures for the success of any EMS system is patient survival from cardiac arrest, and our survival rate is unmatched anywhere in the world.”

In 2006, 41 percent of ventricular fibrillation patients with witnessed arrests survived; other major cities have reported cardiac survival rates as low as one to five percent.

In the final year of the current EMS levy period, a significant focus of the report is on an analysis of the important planning process undertaken by the regional EMS providers, elected officials and stakeholders to ensure that this critical service is maintained. The result is a Medic One/EMS Strategic Plan and levy proposal for a six-year, $.30 cent levy that will be brought to the voters of King County in November 2007.

In addition, the Emergency Medical Services’ (EMS) 2007 Annual Report includes:

• A report on EMS programs and activities, including strategic initiatives to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of EMS in the region.
• A summary of regional 2006 EMS statistics, including the City of Seattle.
• A review of the 2007 EMS Financial Plan, including forecast revenues and expenditures for the duration of the levy period (2002-2007).

The full EMS 2007 Annual Report is available at www.metrokc.gov/health/ems

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in King County operates in a coordinated partnership with five dispatch centers, seven paramedic providers, and 31 fire departments. Funded through a countywide EMS/Medic One Levy, the EMS system utilizes a layered-response system providing a continuum of care for people in need of emergency medical services. For more information on the EMS Division, visit www.metrokc.gov/health/ems.

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