EMS – SJI Fire District

Because of a good deal of conversation during and since the recent EMS levy vote, the public hospital district board has asked a committee to study integration of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) with the San Juan Island Fire District.

The EMS was a part of the Fire District until a few years ago, and before it was known whether the August levy would pass EMS Chief Jerry Martin and then-Acting Fire Chief Brad Creesy discussed re-integration of the two agencies.

Karin Agosta will chair the committee, whose other members are John Hinchcliffe and board member Mark Schwinge.

They plan to consider how emergency services are handled elsewhere in the state and the U.S. and what might be any advantages or disadvantages of merging the two.

Agosta told the board at its regular meeting on Wednesday that “An important goal is to present validated information,” and “We don’t intend to direct the conclusion.”

The board considered the need to formalize the subcommittee with a resolution and decided that wasn’t necessary. Because the recent levy vote provides funding for the agency for six years there is ample time for the board and public to consider possibilities.

By Louise Dustrude

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