Oak Harbor Fire Chief Advises Council on the Future of Emergency Services

The Oak Harbor Fire Department is pushing for an upgrade from Basic Life Support (BLS) to Advanced Life Support (ALS) to enhance emergency medical care for the community. Fire Chief Anderson presented this critical proposal to the City Council, underscoring the importance of advanced medical capabilities in life-threatening situations. The annual cost for this transition is estimated at approximately $36,000 for personnel, plus minor equipment expenses. With Oak Harbor experiencing the highest ambulance wait times in Washington state, the urgency for reform is evident. Chief Anderson highlighted that the current system is fragile, relying heavily on backup services during peak demand.

This initiative is designed to strengthen the emergency response framework without duplicating services provided by local hospitals. The EMS Council has unanimously backed the proposal, which is now moving forward to regional and state approval processes. The Fire Department plans to hire paramedics alongside the opening of a new fire station, expected to be operational within a year.