On Thursday, March 29th, 2012, at approximately 2:20 a.m., Orcas EMTs responded, with the On-duty Paramedic, to a home in Eastsound to assist a young mother in active child labor.
No transport options were available by Helicopter, fixed wing air ambulance, or the Sheriff’s boat Guardian due to severe wind and sea conditions. Any passage off the island to mainland hospitals was limited to the scheduled ferry service.
At 8:13 a.m. a healthy baby boy was welcomed as Orcas Island’s newest resident.
Mom and Baby were transported to Island Hospital via Orcas Fire and Rescue’s Aid 24 ambulance by way of the scheduled 8:50 a.m. ferryboat that patiently waited approximately 30 minutes at the Orcas Ferry Landing for the patients to arrive.
While Orcas Fire Rescue units were assisting the young family, another call to 911 was made to treat and stabilize an unconscious male patient more than ten miles away. Orcas EMTs transported him to the mainland in their Aid 22 ambulance on the 6:45 a.m. ferry.
A reminder to Orcas Islanders; Orcas Island Fire and Rescue offers First Aid and CPR/AED classes. Please call us at 360-376-4858 or go to www.oifr.org for more information.
Kevin O’Brien
Fire Chief, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue
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