Newly outfitted ambulance wows combining fire agencies in Port Townsend, Jefferson County

CHIMACUM — Three fire departments in Jefferson County just landed three new sets of specialized wheels that will help broaden emergency services.

Officials from the Port Townsend Fire Department and Jefferson County Fire District No. 6 (Cape George) unveiled three new emergency vehicles on Tuesday during the monthly Fire District No. 1 commissioners’ meeting in Chimacum.

The purchase signifies an ongoing consolidation of services among the fire departments.

After the Port Townsend and Cape George departments consolidated in January, Chimacum fire officials have been actively looking to join in.

The Port Townsend City Council is scheduled to consider amending its consolidation agreement with Fire District No. 6 to include Fire District No. 1 during its May 16 meeting.

So far, fire officials from all three departments and three of seven Port Townsend City Council members have supported the move.

Ambulance refurbished

With the participation of all three departments, fire officials refurbished an ambulance into a specialized bariatric transport for overweight patients.

The automated gurney can hold up to 850 pounds in an upright position and up to 1,600 pounds when down.

“The bariatric ambulance is a great example of how all three agencies got together and purchased a needed vehicle,” said Port Townsend Fire Chief Mike Mingee,

Jefferson Healthcare hospital also contributed to the purchase.

This unit is the only completely equipped bariatric unit serving the North Olympic Peninsula, fire officials said.

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