Rescue. Resource. Response.

posted 07/25/2008
San Juan Island EMS sees part of our responsibility to help you prevent foreseeable illnesses and injuries. Our Core Value in this area says: "Remote medical education for residents and professionals will decrease accidents and illnesses, mitigate adverse impact, and increase community preparedness." In other words, if we can help you to prevent the emergency from happening in the first place, we all win.

The big things that plague our community include preventable falls and trauma, and early recognition of signs of a heart attacks or stroke. Last year, we brought Lainey Volk on staff to enhance her long-time commitment to teaching CPR and first aid. Each year, we give away greater numbers of car seats and bicycle helmets than the years before. Each port now has a life jacket loaner station, and AEDs have never been more abundant. We instituted a School of Wilderness EMS teaching remote medical education at the first aid level up to the EMT level. This column and other public outreach events also help in this effort.

But, one crucial piece is missing. We need EVERYONE to do SOMETHING that helps the community to be safer. It may be helping an elderly neighbor clean out gutters or install a handrail in their bathroom. It may be writing down your medical history and posting it on your refrigerator. It could mean taking a CPR with AED class, or stopping to help a neighbor who looks like they're having trouble.

Our motto is Rescue. Resource. Response. We are glad to come to your aid, any time of the day or night! It's better to call us and not need us than to deny the pain in your chest or weakness in your arm for too long. It's even better to let us be a resource to you BEFORE you need us. Give Lainey a call at 360-378-5152 extension 3 or email her at prevention@sanjuanems.org. Additionally our website is full of information and resources at www.sanjuanems.org.

If you are experiencing an emergency call 9-1-1 fast. Relax. Help is on the way!

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Chief Jim Cole from San Juan Island EMS has been a Nationally Registered Paramedic for more than 20 years and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Health and a Master of Art Degree in Higher Education. He is designated as a Chief Medical Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is a Senior Wilderness Medicine Instructor with the SOLO School of Wilderness and Emergency Medicine. Suggestions for future topics can be sent to chief@sanjuanems.org.