Please support the current EMS levy under SJC Public Hospital District #1. Without this levy, or a new one supporting a merged agency, we won’t have advanced medical first response in 2023.

An overwhelming majority of San Juan Emergency Medical Services (SJEMS) personnel support this levy, for good reasons. While merging Fire and SJEMS per the Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) report is probably a good idea long-term, and in general, it won’t work right now. The current mistrust and miscommunication between leadership at the two agencies is unhealthy.

SJEMS provides an amazing level of service. Their cardiac save rate is among the top 5% in the nation. Their falls prevention program is remarkably effective, reducing falls from 18% of call volume to 11% on one year. They provide a uniformly high level of service and are courteous, professional, and well-regarded. We have excellent emergency medical care in this county, thanks to SJEMS. Fire provides basic life support only; they do not have paramedics, provide advanced life support, or transport critically ill patients off island. They would only gain these functions by absorbing San Juan EMS.

A forced merger now would demoralize SJEMS personnel, asking them to submit to leadership at Fire that’s publicly undermining their performance.

Why would we want to do this?

In the future, this merger makes sense. But a forced and cranky merger would put two good agencies at risk. Let’s give EMS and Fire time to work out a truly productive partnership.

Dorothy Echodu

Friday Harbor