What's In a Name?

posted 02/20/2009
San Juan Island EMS has been around since 1977 in one form or another. We are formally known as San Juan Island EMS and the San Juan School of Wilderness EMS. We're sometimes called the Aid Unit or E.M.S. or the EMTs. Mostly you know us by our first names; Weyshawn, Dan, Ryan, Lainey, Jim, Deanna, Cady, Debbie, and Bob are a few of the over 40 people who serve you. Most importantly, we are your friends and neighbors, fellow citizens, and family.

We function under the San Juan County Public Hospital District but are separate from Inter Island Medical Center, though we work extremely closely with them. We work with the other healthcare providers here on the island as well and seek new partnerships with other public safety agencies to enhance our service to you. In these uncertain times of concern and fear, we want you to be comforted to know that we are here for you.

Our recently updated vision statement says that we are “Expanding the scope of patient services and education, with excellence, to meet the challenges of our changing island community.” We recognize that trying times and challenges lay ahead. We are your healthcare partners in helping you to avoid becoming sick or injured through education and safety equipment (like car seats), and we respond to you if you do need us 24/7/365.

When you call 9-1-1 and we respond, there is NEVER an out-of-pocket expense for our district's residents for our ground EMS services. We'll bill available insurance, but there is nothing out-of-pocket. When being flown from the island, we strongly suggest that you get the available Airlift Northwest Family Membership for just $79 a year. That covers your entire family, living under one roof, for medically necessary flights aboard the helicopter to the closest appropriate mainland facility when available.

So what's in a name? A lot of help and resource for you and your family. If we can be of assistance, contact us at 378-5152 or check us out on the web at www.SanJuanEMS.org for educational resources and 9-1-1 for emergencies. Stay calm. 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.