Medic One Foundation 

The Medic One Foundation works in partnership with the University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers throughout our region, to develop and support programs that are critical to providing the highest quality of emergency medical services. Because of the community's investment in Medic One Foundation programs, Medic One has the world's best emergency care record, with a survival rate for witnessed,shockable cardiac arrest of 56%, compared to major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit with survival rates of less than 10%.  

Physician-directed Paramedic Training
The Medic One Foundation funds the Medic One Paramedic Training Program, considered to be among the best in the world. The ten-month program provides paramedic students with instruction from University of Washington faculty members, extensive training in the field under the direct supervision of experienced paramedics, and the opportunity to perform procedures that in the past were only performed by physicians and are still rarely performed by paramedics outside of King and Snohomish counties. Medic One paramedic students have an average of 700 patient contacts (more than three times the national average), and undergo 2,500 hours of instruction (compared to the national recommendation of 1,100 hours). In describing the outstanding quality of the Medic One Paramedic Training Program, the national Joint Review Committee on Education Programs points to the significant advantages of "funding from the Medic One Foundation, probably the only one of its kind in the nation."

Targeted Research
The Medic One Foundation supports promising research undertaken by faculty and physicians at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. The targeted studies assess the potential of new treatments and protocols to improve emergency medical services and prevent sudden cardiac death. Initial funding from the Foundation enables investigators to conduct pilot studies before embarking on large clinical trials.

Independent Medical Oversight and Review
Since 1974, the Medic One Foundation has funded a comprehensive audit of Medic One services to ensure the quality of care. The first of its kind in the nation, the Foundation's quality assurance program continuously evaluates response times and adherence to treatment protocols by firefighters and medics, ensures appropriate first responder support and provides critical review of dispatch protocols. Independent, ongoing medical review is critical for developing new approaches to improve the quality of care and patient survival.

2012 Successes

• Trained and certified 17 new paramedics representing Bellevue, East Jefferson, Everett, Port Ludlow, Seattle, San Juan Island, and South King County
• Provided 30 hours of continuing medical education for more than 280 paramedics, as well as first responders throughout Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho through live video feed of our continuing education classes.
• Funded important research to facilitate earlier detection of cardiac arrest calls to 9-1-1 dispatch centers with the hope of improving patient survival rates.
• Supported the change in field procedures for firefighters and paramedics that limit interruptions in CPR to no more than 10 seconds––a key factor in better patient outcomes.
• Awarded equipment grants to eight communities in our region to help purchase much needed emergency medical equipment, including defibrillators, emergency medical software, stair chairs and traction splints.

Program Needs
Fire departments in Seattle, King County, and the north Puget Sound region have a very real need for 14 new paramedics this year.  The Medic One Foundation is committed to providing world-class training for these 14 paramedic students, at a cost of $358,000, to ensure that you receive the best care possible in a life-threatening medical emergency.  Charitable gifts are the only source of funding for the Medic One Paramedic Training Program.