KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - This week, four local residents are being honored as King County Emergency Medical Dispatchers of the Year for their outstanding contributions to the public’s health and safety. As part of King County’s world-class Emergency Medical Services/Medic One system, emergency medical dispatchers protect the public’s health and safety everyday with critical medical advice to callers and by making decisions to get the best level of emergency care to medical emergencies.

Given annually by Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Emergency Medical Services Division during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 9-13, 2007, the awards recognize overall excellence and expert response to critical incidents.

"When someone calls 911 for help, it’s our emergency medical dispatchers that consistently provide information and care that’s needed,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “They all deserve our thanks for their calm and steady service, and this year’s award winners deserve this special recognition.”

This year’s award winners include TJ Bloomingdale and Karen Hansen from Valley Communications and Deanna Martin and Melissa Vieth from Eastside Communications. Mr. Bloomingdale, a Tacoma-area resident, and Ms. Martin, from Maple Valley, both received the award for Sustained Exemplary Performance throughout the year.

Ms. Hansen, from Kent, and Ms. Veith, from Bellevue, both received their awards for Exemplary Handling of a Critical Emergency Medical Services Incident. Ms. Hansen received her award for her skilled and calm response to a potential drowning incident, while Ms. Veith was honored for her expert response for a patient in cardiac arrest.

“Emergency Medical Dispatchers evaluate patient signs and symptoms and provide life-saving instructions to bystanders over the telephone. Their contribution to the medical care provided to our residents and the subsequent increased survival from cardiac arrest is enormous,” said Mickey Eisenberg, MD, Medical Director for King County Emergency Medical Services Division of Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Eastside Communications provides police, fire and medical dispatching in the east and north regions of King County, managing approximately 42,000 emergency calls for medical assistance in 2006. Valley Communications provides police, fire and medical dispatching in south King County, managing approximately 56,000 emergency medical calls in 2006.

King County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operates in a coordinated partnership with four dispatch centers, six paramedic providers, and 35 fire departments. Funded through a countywide EMS/Medic One Levy, King County EMS utilizes a layered-response system providing a continuum of care for people in need of emergency medical services. For more information on King County EMS, visit www.metrokc.gov/health/ems

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