SEQUIM — Mark Karjalainen will be the first community paramedic for Clallam County Fire District 3, a paramedicine program that will begin Sept. 1.
The former Port Angeles Fire Department firefighter/paramedic was hired in Sequim on March 1, 2022, and will lead a program that’s similar to the one Port Angeles started in 2019.
Fire Chief Justin Grider said in a press release that fire district 3 has “a need for someone to help take the load off the 911 system, especially when it’s something that could be handled by a single medic.”
District officials have said throughout the year the position will seek to improve responses to frequent 911 callers and manage non-emergency calls more effectively, such as falls or medication management, while connecting patients with resources and services.
“We’re positioning ourselves to adapt to changes in what this role can be,” Grider said. “Mark is the right choice because he is open to expanding the position, and we are excited about the services he will bring.
“He is a charismatic leader, an excellent paramedic and a wonderful partner to our community. We are fortunate to have him serving us.”
Fire district officials previously reported that about 21 percent of annual calls in recent years are low acuity, or less dangerous, with a record number of total calls anticipated this year.
By June 30, the district had received 349 more 911 calls than the same time frame the previous year.
Fire commissioners agreed to a memorandum of understanding with firefighters union IAFF Local 2933 for the community paramedic position on July 9 to have it be for at least two years, 40 hours a week, and include a personal vehicle to respond to calls.
The position shifts from the district’s low acuity unit of one staffer formerly held by now retired firefighter/EMT Scott Dickson.
Grider said last month that Port Angeles has a different demographic than Sequim, and he feels there are a lot of unknowns to discover with the new paramedic position.
“Truly, we’re going into uncharted waters here,” he said. “We have an idea of what we could be serving, but that could change rapidly.”
Jeff Nicholas, the chair of the fire district’s board, said last month that other districts with community paramedic programs report it’s helped eliminate a lot of frequent 911 calls.
District officials said Karjalainen’s appointment demonstrates a significant advancement in the district’s commitment to enhancing public health and safety.
“This proactive approach aims to prevent situations from escalating into emergencies, thereby optimizing emergency response times and educating the community,” district leaders stated in a press release.
Clallam County Fire District 3 continues to operate with 50 career firefighter positions, including the community paramedic position.
For more information about Clallam County Fire District 3, visit ccfd3.org.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at matthew.nash@sequimgazette.com.
