— by Margie Doyle —
The Orcas Fire and Rescue Commissioners plan to renew two contracts for Emergency Medical Coverage and for Volunteers Occupational Health and Fitness contracts with Dr. Michael Sullivan at their Thursday, Sept. 17 regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Eastsound Fire Hall.
In discussing the previous contracts with Dr. Sullivan, Commissioners said at a public meeting this summer that a new contract was overdue, given that the last contract made between the Fire and Rescue District and Sullivan for Emergency Medical Coverage was signed in 2009.The delay in signing new contracts was indicative of mutual satisfaction among all parties through recent years, OIFR Commissioners said.
However, the rising number of calls and the rising costs of service as well as timeliness call for a renewed contract.
The Emergency Medical Coverage provides for 24/7 consultation with Dr. Sullivan, who has been called – and responded – during his honeymoon and even as he was in preparation for his own surgery at one time, Chief Mik Preysz said.
Lopez and San Juan Island Fire Districts offer different emergency medical direction: Lopez has a doctor on island to answer calls; and San Juan has experienced a decrease in call volume since the emergency room at Peace Island Medical opened in November 2012.
The Commissioners also brought out the availability of Dr. Sullivan compared to other counties where medical response is dispatched to local hospitals and medical care centers.
Chief Preysz circulated a chart of coverage costs for the contracts from Fire and Rescue records. The Emergency Medical Coverage cost from 2003 to 2008 shows the incident count average was 522 per year. The set monthly cost went from $2,350 in 2003 to $2,683 in 2009.
From 2010 to 2015 the monthly cost for Sullivan’s services was $2,708, reflecting an increase of $35 per month. Meanwhile, incident counts are increasing.
Last year the incident count was 984. Preysz noted that as of Sept. 1, 2015, OIFR had logged 786 incidents, compared to 668 last year at the same time. He predicted that this year would see over 1,000 incidents for the first time. “We’ve [had] a phenomenally entertaining summer, and our crews are still smiling.” Preysz said.
Wellness Contract for OIFR Volunteers
The Volunteer Occupational Health and Fitness contract with Dr. Sullivan for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue was signed in 2012. The contract for Health and Fitness Coverage averaged 4 hours per month in 2007-08. As of Jan 1, 2010 Dr. Sullivan is contracted for up to 12 hours per month.
Those covered by the Wellness Contract have risen from 48 members in 2010 to 86 members now, including 79 volunteers and 7 response staff. Since 2007, Dr. Sullivan has monitored the physical exams for all volunteers and created programs to mitigate loss of work for conditions affecting the members. Commissioners noted that there have been 12 “saves,” thanks to the health and fitness coverage, including four saved lives, thanks to the thoroughness of the program and Dr. Sullivan’s leadership.
The Commissioners will vote to approve a new contract with a proposed annual salary of approximately $41,000.
Dr. Sullivan is a great asset to OIFR, and I am glad to see we have renewed our relationship with him.
Just a slight clarification: Unlike Orcas, Lopez and Shaw Islands, on San Juan Island EMS is provided by a separate entity from the Fire District. While San Juan Island Fire Rescue works closely with San Juan Island EMS, they are an independent agency.
Thanks for renewing Dr. Sullivan contract. His services are a valuable part of medical care available to us “islanders” and his commitment to the level of care he brings could not be duplicated.