||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE |||
Due to high winds preventing air medical transport, OIFR had two ambulances aboard the WSF Issaquah transporting critical patients to mainland hospitals this evening. The ferry also picked up a third ambulance from Lopez Island with another patient.
One of our on-duty paramedics traveled with the patients to provide advanced life support care during transport. Three EMTs were also aboard. We called in a backup, off-duty paramedic to maintain coverage on Orcas Island while our primary medic is off-island.
In a rare occurrence, the Issaquah made this run carrying only the three ambulances – no other vehicles. “These were triple overlapping calls occurring with the fire and power outage in Doe Bay this afternoon,” said Fire Chief Chad Kimple. Two of OIFR’s four ambulances remained on island maintaining full emergency response capability.
We are grateful to Washington State Ferries for their critical assistance with these transports when weather prevents our usual air medical resources.
As winter weather intensifies, please prepare for high winds and power outages. Our crews
remain ready to respond 24/7.
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Interesting story!
Getting into the weeds, what is the wind speed that makes helicopter transport not feasible, and is that measured at Orcas or the home bases of the helicopters?
I can’t find a ferry alert posted … was this a scheduled run of the Issaquah or after normal operating hours? I’ve been on many ferries where they waited on ambulances (Bainbridge to Seattle route), but have never heard of a ferry run with only emergency vehicles.
Does WSF pay for the trip or is that expense somehow billed back to the fire districts?
Good to know this service is available in non-fly circumstances.