— by Lin McNulty —
Between March 18 and March 31, 2016, Island Air and San Juan EMS will be terminating their contract for fixed-wing medevac services in a recent business decision whereby Island Air will be taking over full responsibilities for all aspects of the service.
In the past, Island Air was under contract with San Juan EMS to provide pilots and fixed wing aircraft, while San Juan EMS provided the medical staffing aboard the aircraft. Island Air is now hiring their own EMS flight personnel to continue the service in what they plan to be a seamless changeover with no interruption in service. An increase in availability is expected with aircraft and crew being provided solely by Island Air.
“A new membership program should be in place by April,” explained Jackie Hamilton, owner of Island Air for 25 years. “We’re still working out details.” No more memberships or renewals will be taken at this time.
Island Air has no contract agreements with other fire districts in the county, and welcomes any questions at 360-378-2857.
The decision on whether to utilize Island Air or the helicopter-equipped AirLift Northwest in a medical emergency is based on such things as availability, weather, and patient status. Ultimately, that transport decision is made by on-scene by EMS personnel in order to provide the most appropriate medevac services for any particular patient.
Thank you for covering this, Lyn.
It’s only sort of seamless. The reps for both organizations told me that SJI EMS will be figuring out how much is left on each subscription and issuing prorated checks to each subscriber. This process could take a few weeks. Subscribers will then need to purchase new contracts with Island Air, which must be done directly with that organization. Island Air said that they hope to send out new subscription packages before April 1, so that coverage can continue without a lapse.
Unfortunately, it appears that this will not be a wholly seamless switchover from the subscribers’ perspectives.
I should add that the folks who gave me this information (via email) were very helpful and clearly wishes it could be more seamless.
AIRLIFT NORTHWEST WILL ALWAYS BE MY CHOICE.
I also contacted the Island Air folks at the email address given in the announcement letter. Barbara Pluff replied and said she would email me the sign-up info as soon as it’s available. Contact her at membership.islandair@gmail.com.
As Lin points out, it’s not necessarily your choice when you have to be flown off in the middle of the night. It’s the choice of EMS and which service and equipment are available. Joining both Airlift Northwest and Island Air gives you coverage for both.
I support others affirmation of prompt and helpful response from both Island Air and San Juan EMS. I hope this is all worked out quickly.
However, my renewal check to San Juan EMS was returned, and currently it is not possible to secure membership with Island Air. As former OIFD Chief O’Brien recommended, I have been subscribing to BOTH Airlift NW and San Juan Medevac.
This transition from San Juan EMS/Medevac to service provided by Island Air is NOT SO SEAMLESS for me. I am left without the coverage I had a month ago. I know 8 other Orcas residents in the same position.
I’d like to suggest for discussion that Orcas Fire and Rescue consider developing a program that covers all island residents uninsured evacuation costs. San Juan residents have just such coverage under their hospital district taxes.
Its got to be more cost effective to secure this vital coverage for all of us as a group. Currently the fees charged those with coverage are already covering the cost of those who don’t have coverage and can not pay. So I was told by Island Air. I’d like to see the tax implications of such a program. I’m guessing/hoping it would be less than what we pay for individual coverage (already a good deal).
To me, the big unknown is what the CURRENT policy is for Orcas Fire and Rescue, in deciding which service will airlift us off if we need to be lifted. As John Erly says, former Chief McCarthy had a recommendation. Even though the turmoil with the San Juan program and Island Air has been going on for several weeks, I have heard no recommendation or anything else on this from the current chief here on Orcas, or from our elected Commissioners, about what they recommend or even what their considerations are if they feel they need to fly me off. Do we get to choose the program we are a member of if we are conscious . . . and what if we are not? Does the hospital we prefer weigh in the decision EMS makes? Do they even consider whether we have one membership or the other. If not, why not, etc, etc. More information, please!
Doug – OIFR has offered guidance on this question several times in the past. My understanding is that emergency transport is chosen based on the severity of the patient’s condition, the availability of aircraft, and safety considerations. Sometimes they can honor your request for a particular service, but not always. Airlift Northwest’s helicopters cover a large geographic area. Island Air is just our county. A helicopter can land right at the hospital, a fixed-wing plane cannot. There are different on-board medical support personnel. Sometimes the weather dictates. Dispatching these services is complex. Best bet: join both services. It’s very, very cheap insurance.
In reading this a thought came to me that maybe each islands EMS/Fire sation could have a secure data base that could house information about the resident such as allergies, preferred off island hospitals and/or Dr.s and include which island evac service you have a memeber ship with. Purely voluntary but given the rural nature of the area it might be a good resource for the first responders. Just a thought.
@S. McCalmont, There is an even better option. You can get a packet from the senior center which has a form for you to record all that information, and a whole heck of a lot more. Put it under a magnet on the fridge door where responders can find it or be directed to it. It can save a lot of time and answer a lot of the questions that you will be asked when they respond to your house. Even more importantly, the form can speak for you when you are incapacitated and can answer the questions (meds, past history, allergies, etc.) yourself.
I contacted Barbara Pluff by email last week (per Moana’s helpful note above), and received a very prompt and cordial response. I urge everyone who is concerned about no gaps in their coverage to do the same. Contact her at membership.islandair@gmail.com.