Our Normal Day

We serve a population of over 60,000 people. There are 6 paramedic level ambulances stationed strategically around the island every day 365 days a year. Additionally through partnerships with North and Central Whidbey fire departments using Whidbey General Hospital ambulances and equipment, we are able to utilize an additional 2 extra basic life support, (BLS) ambulances during times of high call volume. WGH EMS is unique in it's ability to both shrink and expand rapidly as real life needs arise to a maximum of 11 ambulances .

Our normal day to day duties involve responding to every single 911 call occurring on, or in the waters around Whidbey Island that may require medical care. Currently that is approximately six thousand 911 calls per year. These could be anything from checking on an elderly person living alone, to delivering a baby, or responding with police to a shooting. Additionally, at any time of day or night WGH EMS coordinates and facilitates approximately 800 patient transfers from WGH or the Navy Base Hospital to some other medical facility in our local region for patients requiring higher levels of specialized care unavailable on Whidbey Island.

For life threatening emergencies involving burns, major trauma or for patients requiring emergency surgical care unavailable at WGH it is possible to transport our patients directly from the field via ambulance or Airlift Northwest helicopter to the most appropriate regional receiving facility. This is done by consulting with our on line Medical Program Director (MPD), who is in contact with WGH emergency room and surgical staff as well as specialist physicians at regional trauma centers. Rapid "real time" communication during ongoing 911 calls saves lives and helps to ensure that each and every patient gets the best care possible.