Drafter
Clerk 4/26/2007
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AN ORDINANCE authorizing the approval of the 2008-2013 Medic One/Emergency Medical Services Strategic Plan submitted by the executive.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. Ordinance 15652 adopted the 2007 Annual Budget for King County on November 21, 2006.
B. Ordinance 15652 directed the county executive to transmit to the council for review and approval an emergency medical services strategic plan for the next levy period beginning in 2008.
C. Further, Ordinance 15652 directs the plan show the proposed levy program at two funding levels:
1. The base level for carrying forward the current program adjusted for inflation and population growth; and
2. The base level plus services and capital enhancements proposed to improve advanced life support and strategic initiatives.
D. Emergency medical services are among the most important services provided to county residents. These services include basic and advanced life support, medical quality assurance, effective communications systems, emergency medical technician training, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation training, injury prevention education, medical quality assurance and related services. In combination, these programs have made the emergency medical services network in King County an invaluable lifesaving effort and an important part of the quality of life standards afforded citizens of the county.
E. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the nation and in King County. The delivery of paramedic services in King County has tripled the survival rate of victims of cardiac arrest; the initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by bystanders or emergency medical technicians has doubled hospital discharge rates.
F. King County should continue to exercise leadership and assume responsibility for assuring the orderly and comprehensive development and provision of emergency medica...
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