About the Central Region

The Central Region is one of eight trauma regions in the State of Washington created by the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Act of 1990 (RCW 70.168).  Central Region's jurisdiction is King County, home to an estimated 1.78 million people.  Commuters and visitors add significantly to the number of people who depend on the Region's emergency medical and trauma care system.  Thirty-three fire departments provide BLS (basic life support) service.  Six paramedic agencies provide ALS (advanced life service).  Ambulance transport is augmented by private ambulance service.  The Region is served by seventeen hospitals, nine of which are designated trauma centers.  Central Region trauma  centers serve as referral points for patients originating from other counties and states.  Some patients arrive by air from as far away as Alaska.

How the EMS System Works

King County uses a tiered EMS response system to ensure the efficient use of resources.  The first tier is 9-1-1 access.

The second tier of the EMS response system is 9-1-1dispatch. There are five dispatch agencies in King County.  9-1-1 calls are routed to the dispatch center closest to the location of the caller. Dispatchers in King County are trained to ask certain questions to help them determine if immediate medical help is needed and what level of help they should send.

The third tier of the EMS response system is BLS (basic life suppport). BLS service is provided by approximately 3,500 firefighter/EMT's (emergency medical techinicians) based at local fire stations. EMT's must complete 110 hours of classroom instruction and practice work, plus ten hours of hospital observation time to be certified. Ten hours of CBT (competency based training) per year is required to maintain certification.  For emergency medical techinician training, CBT, and recriprocity information, please contact Blake Harrison at King County EMS (206) 296-4861 or go online at www.metrokc.gov/health/ems/training.htm.

The fourth tier of the EMS response system is ALS (advanced life support).  ALS units are staffed by two paramedics.  Paramedics are more highly trained in emergency medical care than EMTs.  Paramedic candidates must pre-qualify for training and complete 2150 hours ot training including field internship to be certified.  Visit the http://www.metrokc.gov/health/ems for more information.  

The fifth tier of the EMS response system are the hospitals in King County.  Patients that require additional medical care may be transported a hospital emergency department.  Patients with more severe injuries are transported to trauma centers.  Usually a trauma patient is transported to the trauma center closest to the scene of injury.  Severity of injury, traffic patterns, and other factors may impact where a patient is taken for treatment.