Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
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Thurston County Washington

Medic One

Frequently Asked Questions

​First Tier is Citizen Involvement:

  • Medic One trains citizens to recognize an emergency; to recognize signs of a heart attack, stroke or other serious emergency; how to activate the 911 system; and how to perform CPR.

Second Tier is Basic Life Support (BLS):

  • 12 Fire Agencies provide BLS, supplemented by Medic One.
  • BLS is the first EMS on scene and backbone of the system.
  • BLS average response is under 8 minutes.
  • BLS units are staffed with 2 - 4 EMTs.
  • EMT training is provided by Medic One to the agencies, without charge.
  • Medic One provides supplemental BLS funding for Fire Agencies.

Third Tier is Advanced Life Support (ALS):

  • Seven paramedic units are strategically located in the County to reduce response time.
  • ALS service is provided through contracts with Olympia Fire Department, Tumwater Fire Department, and Lacey Fire District 3.
  • ALS response average is under 8 minutes.
  • Medic Units are staffed with two paramedics.
  • Paramedics perform life saving treatments, and rapid transport while providing care.

  • ​County-wide emergency help is provided as tiered response.
     

  • County-wide advanced paramedic care in 6.86 minutes is fast but, that may not be fast enough if you've stopped breathing, heart has stopped beating or are bleeding seriously.
     

  • Tiered response means that there is more than one level of EMS care.
     

  • The first level of EMS care is the informed citizen, the second is basic life support and the third level is paramedic advanced life support.
     

  • Tiered response helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Medic One/EMS System by matching the patient's emergency need with the right level of emergency response.

The first tier is our citizens...

  • The Thurston County Medic One/EMS system trains citizens on the importance of accessing emergency medical help quickly through 9-1-1.
     
  • The EMS system also trains citizens on how to perform Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the importance of recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack.
     
    • PLEASE LEARN CPR, YOU CAN HELP SAVE A LIFE!
       
  • The EMS System is also becoming active in prevention.
     
    • Education is providing information on bicycle safety, trauma prevention and seatbelt safety.
       
  • Contact Medic One for a convenient CPR Class for you and your family (see CPR Training on this website).
     
  • Click here for CPR Training schedule