Community paramedics are the way of the future, according to Chief John Cermak of North County Regional Fire Authority.
“It’s proactive medicine, as opposed to reactive,” Cermak said. “A community paramedic can prevent 911 calls.”
Indeed, he is working with a group to get a CP for North County, as part of a grant request developed by the North County Accountable Community of Health (NCACH) that serves Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan, Island and Snohomish counties.
Cermak said that Camano Island Fire and Rescue is not the only agency facing a significant increase in calls.
“Our call load has tripled since 2005,” the NCRFA chief said.
This week, in one day, Station 99 responded to 16 calls. At an average of one hour per call, that pretty much fills the day, he said.