Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Medical Services would like to thank all those who helped make our Sept. 19 open house at Bayview such a success!

We enjoyed the opportunity to demonstrate our island-wide emergency medical services (EMS) approach, and we had a chance to highlight the “chain of survival,” starting from a 911 call through our strong teamwork with South Whidbey Fire and Rescue, to ongoing care at the Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Department.

Our goal was to reinforce our commitment to prevention and treatment of injuries and illnesses though programs and community outreach, like Lifeline Services, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, and Senior Services.

If it can be said that the strength of the community is based on relationships, the coming together of many for a sole purpose, then the community was well represented through the many organizations working with us at the Open House.

We’d like to thank those individuals and organizations who ensured the success of our goal: Island Transit for the use of the park and ride at Bayview; Jerry Beck Electrical Services for the use of his golf cart to help transport several from the parking area to the building; Dr. Roger Case and the Island County Health Department for highlighting the county’s response towards influenza prevention; Rod Gabelein for providing a hand-washing station; Cecilia of the Island County Road Department to help ensure the safety of walkers to our event; the City of Oak Harbor for their road signs; and Theo Wells’ education regarding the Physician’s Orders of Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms. Jaime Fierro provided excellent customer service while feeding the hundreds who attended.

As always, we appreciate our strong connection and working relationship to South Whidbey Fire and Rescue, and with all the fire departments across the island. Along with both Island County Emergency Communication Center (ICOM) as they field 911 calls; and Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Department, whose nurses and doctors continue the treatment and care we can only begin; they help us fulfill our promise of great health care to the South Whidbey community.

Our biggest thanks go to you, of course, and everyone who calls Whidbey Island their home. We could not exist without your support.

Robert May, paramedic

Whidbey General Hospital

Emergency Medical Services