Whatcom County

Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Grant - Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services Proposes the “rural Emergency Medical Services Training Grant.” This Program Aims to Train Emt Students From Rural and Indigenous Areas of the County, and Create a Comprehensive Online Curriculum for Current Ems Providers on Behavioral Health Topics. Ultimately, the Program Seeks to Increase Ems Capacity for Rural Areas and Decrease Negative Health Outcomes Within the Same Population. Whatcom County Ems Administration (washington State) Is a Public Service Organization, and a Critical Link in Our County-wide Emergency Medical Service System, Which Provides High Quality Emergency Patient Care Throughout the Area. Our Organization Is Responsible for the High-level Administrative Functions Needed to Ensure Continued, Integrated, and Uniform County-wide Ems Service. the Department’s Service Area Includes 13 Fire Districts and 2 Fire Departments, With Our Main Financial Support From a Renewable 6-YEAR Levy. the Proposed Program Targets Historically Underserved Areas of Whatcom County, Including the Native Lands of the Lummi and Nooksack Tribes. These Areas Have Been Selected Due to Increasing Concerns Around Substance Use and Mental Health Related Calls (whatcom County Health Department, 2017). Based on Whatcom County Dispatch Data, Substance Use Related Calls From Rural Areas Have Increased 13% During the Last Three Years, and Behavioral Health Calls Have Increased 64% (whatcom County Ems, 2022). Additionally, 2021 Data Shows a Significant Concentration of Substance Use Related Calls in Rural Areas of the County (whatcom County Ems, 2022). Along With Previously Mentioned Roles, Our Administration Helps Fund and Run Multiple Emt Courses Within Whatcom County. While the County Already Runs These Established Emt Certification Courses, Our Grant-proposed Classes Will Be Free to Students and Aided With Modules Focusing on Behavioral Health Topics. Whatcom County Ems Plans to Hold Two Free Emt Classes Throughout the Duration of the Grant, in Order to Eventually Encourage Greater Ems Participation in Rural and Indigenous Areas. Additionally, With a Focus on Behavioral Health Education, Our Organization Expects to Witness a Decrease in Negative Health Outcomes Among the Target Population. Following the End of the Emt Certification Classes, the Behavioral Health Module Will Be Expanded as Training for Current Ems Providers Working in Rural and Indigenous Areas of Whatcom County. the Pilot and Expansion of These Behavioral Health Modules Should Help Address Rising Concerns Around Substance Use and Mental Disorder Calls Among the Target Population. Our Organization Plans to Supplement the Behavioral Health Training With Additional Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strip Supplies for Fire Districts Serving Rural Areas. Annually, We Expect to Serve Around 90 Individuals With the Allocated Funds, and Eventually Push Our Curriculum to All 600 Ems Providers in the County. Our Organization Recognizes That We Can Help Remove Barriers for Historically Marginalized Individuals Seeking a Career in Emergency Medical Services. Eventually, We Hope Those Individuals Can Return to Serve and Build Capacity for Their Own Communities.