QUINCY — Grant County Fire District 3 will begin implementing the recommendations from a study that looked at ways to strengthen emergency medical services in the Quincy Valley. The district will add another vehicle for EMS calls to the district’s inventory. 

“The next step will be to add a fire-based advanced life support intercept unit in George,” said GCFD 3 Chief David Durfee. “It’s an important step for EMS in the Quincy Valley.”  

Fire district and Quincy city officials commissioned a study of EMS availability in the Quincy Valley earlier this year. One of the recommendations was that fire district and city officials think about building an EMS response and transport system over time as funding is available. Columbia EMS, a private company, provides emergency medical services in the Quincy area; the study suggested building a backup in case Columbia EMS or any future ambulance business leaves Quincy.  

Fire District 3 has rescue vehicles, and most of its firefighters and volunteers have basic life support training. While it’s still being discussed, Durfee said GCFD 3 isn’t planning to buy an ambulance. Right now, GCFD 3 commissioners are looking at buying an SUV which would be stocked with advanced life support equipment, he said. 

Durfee said commissioners are not anticipating any change in the district’s EMS levy. 

“We’re not going to ask for an increase in the levy,” he said.  

Eric Nickel, senior consultant for Fitch & Associates who conducted the study, estimated it would cost about $209,000 to buy and equip one vehicle, and about $345,500 annually to maintain it.  

“It just adds a component to the system,” Durfee said. “It’s about enhancing the service. We’re not replacing current providers.” 

It’ll take a while to get things in place. 

“We’re estimating nine to 12 months for this program to be implemented,” he said.  

Housing the vehicle in George will reduce response times in the southern section of the district, Durfee said. It can also provide additional support on the scene of an incident, he said, or when EMS services are stretched thin. It wouldn’t be able to transport patients, however.  

According to the survey’s analysis, about two-thirds of GCFD 3 calls are for EMS response. Of the people who need EMS response in Grant County, not just the Quincy Valley, about 41% are insured through Medicare, and approximately 28% through Medicaid.  

Medicare and Medicaid typically pay less than most Grant EMS providers charge, and Washington law limits the ability of providers to recover the difference. Some federal funding was available for public agencies to help fill the gap, but most of that will be eliminated by 2027, Nickel said. He recommended the EMS partners in Quincy should use the time between now and 2027 to strengthen the system. 

Durfee said that’s the goal. 

“The ALS unit will complement, not compete, with existing ALS services,” he said.