SANDY POINT, Wash. — It was announced earlier this year that Whatcom County advance life support (ALS) medic units units were being equipped with powered loading systems that worked with a specific make and model gurney being purchased by fire districts throughout Whatcom County. This was funded by a $1.2-million 10-year investment funded by the countywide EMS property tax levy.
But fire district basic life support (BLS) aid units were not eligible for the powered loading systems funding and had to either go without or find funding.
Whatcom County Fire District 17 (WCFD17) Fire Chief Jim Petrie told Whatcom News today, August 18th, they received a $10,000 donation to be used to install a power loading system in their BLS aid unit. The donation will also be used to purchase 2 stair chairs. A stair chair is used when a patient must be moved in close quarters such as stairwells or small elevators or when using a gurney is not possible.
WCFD17 serves the Sandy Point and Sandy Point Heights neighborhoods to the immediate south of the Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery.