Grant County Fire Protection District No. 3 Strengthens EMS System Through Updated Transport Agreement and Expanded Services
From the Chief...
Press Release from Chief David Durfee….
Grant County, WA — Grant County Fire Protection District No. 3 has finalized an updated agreement for emergency medical transport services, reinforcing its commitment to a reliable, coordinated, and high-quality emergency medical services (EMS) system for most of the Quincy Valley.
EMS within Grant County Fire District No. 3 operates as a coordinated system involving multiple agencies and service providers. The Fire District is responsible for providing emergency medical response and patient care, while contracted partners provide ambulance transport services, including Advanced Life Support (ALS) care when appropriate.
Columbia EMS, operated by Protection-1, LLC, continues to serve as a contracted ambulance transport provider within much of the District and provides ALS-level care during transport.
In addition, the Fire District contracts with other ambulance transport provider serving the rural Ephrata areas of the District. Along the southeast boundaries of the District, ambulance service is provided by Royal Slope Fire within their designated service area, which overlaps portions of District 3. This coordinated, system-based approach ensures that patients receive timely care and transport across the entire service area.
The updated agreement includes a 20% increase in service funding to support the continuation of efficient and reliable operations. This investment reflects the District’s commitment to cost-effective service delivery while maintaining strong partnerships that support patient care and system reliability.
The District is satisfied with the level of service currently being provided and values its ongoing partnership with Columbia EMS. The agreement also includes enhanced reporting requirements to improve transparency and support ongoing evaluation of system performance, including data on call volume, response times, and unit utilization.
This agreement and the District’s broader EMS initiatives align with key recommendations identified in a recent EMS system study, including strengthening system coordination, enhancing accountability, and supporting long-term service sustainability.
The District does not currently have plans to become a transporting agency and remains focused on its role in providing emergency medical response and system coordination. At the same time, the District is committed to ensuring appropriate contingency plans are in place to maintain reliable service for the community.
In support of long-term system sustainability, the District is also taking steps to enhance its emergency medical capabilities. This includes the planned addition of firefighter/paramedics who will provide advanced care within the District’s response system and improve service delivery, particularly in rural areas. These positions are intended to strengthen patient care and provide additional system resilience.
“EMS is a complex system that relies on coordination between multiple providers,” said Fire Chief David Durfee “Our focus is on ensuring that our community receives timely, high-quality care through a system that is reliable, adaptable, and aligned with the needs of today and the future.”
Grant County Fire District No. 3 will continue working with its partners to strengthen the EMS system and ensure that services are delivered in a manner that best serves the public.
For more information, please contact:
Grant County Fire Protection District No. 3
Fire Chief David Durfee
Phone: 509-787-2713
Email: ddurfee@gcfd3.net
This statement is published as an official press release issued by Grant County Fire Protection District No. 3 Chief David Durfee. The content has not been altered, edited, or modified in any way by the staff, ownership, or affiliates of this publication.
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