Seattle/King County

RHEMT406

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Hi all. I know this topic has been brought up before, but mostly what I see is people bashing each other over who's agency is better or worse.

What I am wondering is just how to figure out what agency handles what.

From what I gathered, inside Seattle City Limits, Seattle Fire Department responds to provide on-scene care, and contracts with Tri-Med or AMR to transport.

Question #1: Does Seattle FD send a Medic One Ambulance, or an engine company?

Question #2: Are AMR and Tri-Med strictly BLS, or do they hire Paramedics?

Question #3: Do AMR & Tri-Med respond to 911 calls without an engine company?

I guess I don't see a difference between Medic One and Seattle Fire. Who does what? And can AMR or Tri-Med administer ALS?
 
AMR contracts with Seattle for BLS 911.
When a call goes out an engine or ladder responds first. If BLS transport is needed they call for AMR. If it's an ALS call Seattle medics get called for. I believe Seattle medics only are auto dispatched to codes. Trimed does not do 911 in Seattle but has lots of contracts with other cities like Bellevue.
Only king county medic one medics are allowed to work in Seattle so no private medics. AMR has medics in other countries. Trimed used to have medics in pierce county but not anymore even though they still have an ALS license.
And Seattle AMR does not respond without fire to 911. They will to contracted facilities though. Not sure if trimed has primary 911 anywhere.. AMR is primary ALS down in like Centralia or something like that..
 
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Hi all. I know this topic has been brought up before, but mostly what I see is people bashing each other over who's agency is better or worse.

What I am wondering is just how to figure out what agency handles what.

From what I gathered, inside Seattle City Limits, Seattle Fire Department responds to provide on-scene care, and contracts with Tri-Med or AMR to transport.

Question #1: Does Seattle FD send a Medic One Ambulance, or an engine company?

Question #2: Are AMR and Tri-Med strictly BLS, or do they hire Paramedics?

Question #3: Do AMR & Tri-Med respond to 911 calls without an engine company?

I guess I don't see a difference between Medic One and Seattle Fire. Who does what? And can AMR or Tri-Med administer ALS?


In Seattle, it's SFD and AMR. If it's a medic call, a Seattle Fire medic unit responds and if te patient is ALS, the medics transport in their truck. If the transport is BLS, AMR takes the patient. On BLS dispatched calls it's SFD engine or aid car and an AMR ambulance. BLS can cancel ALS prior to arrival.

In South King County it's fire and TriMed. Same as above. KCM1 takes ALS calls. TriMed transports BLS.

In King County AMR and TriMed are BLS only.

Private ambulances do not respond on 911 calls without fire.
 
Trimed does not do 911 in Seattle but has lots of contracts with other cities like Bellevue.

That being said, in Bellvue, like your example, is Tri-Med the primary 911 provider? And can they operate ALS in Bellvue?

Also, too everyone, can someone give me some information about Tri-Med? Basically, how are they as an employer?
 
TriMed is only BLS. They alternate transports in Bellevue with AMR.

I worked for TriMed for a couple of years. I had a good time. They're a typical private. Lousy pay. Somewhat sketchy stations. Cross a medic or say something snarky to a nurse there and you're fired. Period.
 
TriMed is only BLS. They alternate transports in Bellevue with AMR.

I worked for TriMed for a couple of years. I had a good time. They're a typical private. Lousy pay. Somewhat sketchy stations. Cross a medic or say something snarky to a nurse there and you're fired. Period.


How is AMR in that area? Are they only BLS as well?

See, the dilemma I am in is that I will be moving to Seattle upon obtaining of my Paramedic AAS in Montana. I want to practice as a paramedic in Washington. Would Medic One hire new brand new paramedic? Or do they want some experience?
 
There have been at least a dozen threads here about King County Medics. Do a search, read those threads and then come back with questions.

The ONLY paramedics in King County are fire medics, with the exception of South King (King County Medic One) a county based system that is based in fire departments.

It's a difficult place to get hired, but the pay is great. Opinions in their medicine and culture vary, depending on who you ask.
 
Long story short, you cannot work as a medic in king county without going through the king county medic one program. Try literally any other county in the state though!
 
In Seattle, it's SFD and AMR. If it's a medic call, a Seattle Fire medic unit responds and if te patient is ALS, the medics transport in their truck. If the transport is BLS, AMR takes the patient. On BLS dispatched calls it's SFD engine or aid car and an AMR ambulance. BLS can cancel ALS prior to arrival.

In South King County it's fire and TriMed. Same as above. KCM1 takes ALS calls. TriMed transports BLS.

In King County AMR and TriMed are BLS only.

Private ambulances do not respond on 911 calls without fire.
Does TriMed respond to BLS 911 calls in Kent?
 
I'm guessing you have to be near death to get a medic in Seattle. Lots of Bls fractures, syncope, respiratory distress, etc?
 
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