Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue To Launch New Transport Ambulance Service To Improve Response For Life Threatening Emergencies -12/31/24

 

Media Event:

When:  
Thursday, January 2nd @ 1:00 PM (1300 hrs)

Location:  
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Station 21 Headquarters
911 N. 65th Ave., Ridgefield, WA  98642

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue is hosting a press conference and media event on January 2nd at 1:00 PM Pacific Time to showcase the formal launch of a new Advanced Life Support Ambulance Transport Service to the Cities of La Center, Ridgefield, Woodland and the surrounding area that includes the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Reservation and unincorporated areas of North Clark County.   The new service launches in January to address increased ambulance service demand and a growing number of long response times with the current private ambulance transport system.    Medic 21 will be a 24-hour transport ambulance staffed with Paramedic and EMT Firefighters to provide a faster ambulance response to the highest priority and most life-threatening emergencies in the District.    Beginning in January this service will be provided all-day, every-day as an addition to the existing Ambulance Service Contract with a private provider for Clark County EMS District 2.   The current ambulance service contract will remain in place and this new program will provide an additional advanced life support ambulance dedicated for response to the most life-threatening emergencies (priority 1 and 2) in the Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Service area.   By adding this dedicated unit to the system, there will be an additional resource and the opportunity to improve ambulance response across the system, with a strong focus on faster response to the most critical calls in the Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue service area.   Voters in the District approved an EMS levy that has provided an increased number of Paramedics for consistent advanced life support capabilities with Paramedics assifgned to all primary response units along with staffing for the new Paramedics Ambulance.   The new ambulance vehicle and equipment was generously donated to the District by the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation.  

Members of the Media are invited to a media event and press conference to announce the formal launch of this new and improved service for life threatening emergencies in the Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Area.  Fire Chief Nohr and District Staff will be present to answer questions and showcase the new fully equipped advanced life support ambulance.   The media will be welcomed to look at the new equipment and engage with staff regarding the Fire District and this important, new life saving initiative.

 

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) serves over 50,000 people over 125 square miles, including the cities of La Center, Ridgefield, Woodland, and the Cowlitz Indian Reservation. Our combination department includes full-time and volunteer firefighters responding to an average of 5400 fire and emergency medical calls a year. CCFR also provides a wide array of Community Risk Reduction programs including fire inspections, building plan reviews, and a Community Paramedic program. CCFR operates under a balanced budget and has a history of passing independent financial audits by the state.