KOMO radio gets an action-packed glimpse into the life of a Medic One paramedic

KOMO Radio's Ian Sterling experienced first-hand the life-saving capabilities of local paramedics when he rode along in a Medic One ambulance on Tuesday. The ambulance responded to a few calls and Sterling had the chance to interview paramedic-in-training Justin Clouse, who said the rigorous paramedic training, offered largely in part because of the funds the Medic One Foundation provides, has been intense and prepared him for anything. Listen to the interview below.



In addition, Sterling spoke to Jan Sprake, the Executive Director of the Medic One Foundation, about the importance of the public donating to keep this world-class paramedic training program alive. The paramedics in the Puget Sound area are among the best in the nation and have contributed to King County having one of the highest sudden cardiac arrest survival rates in the U.S. Listen to the second radio spot below.

Enterprise Washington recognized for voter education and political outreach programs

Enterprise Washington has received the STAR Award from the national business organization BIPAC for its efforts in engaging employees and voters in the public policy and elections processes in Washington state. The award recognizes Enterprise Washington for outstanding integration of grassroots programming in its statewide election efforts.

“We are extremely proud of G.R.O.W., the grassroots program we have built in Washington state, and it is a great honor to received this national award,” said Erin McCallum, president of Enterprise Washington. “We look forward to continuing to improve the G.R.O.W. program, extending its reach and helping to elect even more business-friendly Democrat and Republican legislators in our state.”

Enterprise Washington’s G.R.O.W. program (Growing Roots for Our Workforce) communicated with more than 350,000 individuals in Washington state during 2009-10. The program, part of BIPAC’s national Prosperity Project network, focuses on the direct impact that public policy and politics have on jobs and economic growth. It allows individuals to make a difference in their own prosperity by becoming more informed about those issues and taking actions that are in their own best interest.

The information shared via the G.R.O.W. program can be found at www.growwa.com.

"The programs and activities undertaken by Enterprise Washington have a very positive impact on the economy and job creation in Washington state," said Gregory Casey, President and CEO of BIPAC. "The national business community understands the hard work and thoughtful leadership that makes such efforts possible, and we are pleased to recognize these examples from one of the very best and most effective grassroots and issue education initiatives in the country."

While voter interest remains steady, understanding of economic issues still lags. Enterprise Washington’s G.R.O.W. program and the Prosperity Project as a whole are designed to help bridge that gap effectively and provide individuals with useful information when making important decisions. Rather than telling people how to vote, it arms them with valid data to help them reach informed opinions of their own.

Check out the Museum of Flight's new PSA!

Listen to the Museum of Flight's new PSA! It features the voice of Patti Payne, and Lee Keller's son Jacob!

Medic One Foundation represents a worthy investment in public's health

The Seattle Times recently published an editorial encouraging the public to continue to support the Medic One Foundation. The public can donate to help fund the top paramedic training program in the state, maybe even the nation, as evidenced by our region's sudden cardiac arrest survival rates. The Times reminded its readers that, while we are in difficult economic times, we can not afford to lose the valuable services which the Medic One Foundation provides.

To read the full article click the Seattle Times logo below.

Overlake Hospital's new "blood vending machine"

Overlake Hospital Medical Center is the first hospital in King County to use a blood vending machine called a HemoSafe that stores up to 150 units of blood which can then be used for patients. The new technology significantly cuts down the time it takes to get blood for life-saving transfusions. According to the blood bank coordinator, Andrea Nordmark, the machine shaves off 30 minutes to an hour in the time it usually takes to transport blood. In addition, the machine reduces mistakes in the handling of blood.


The Seattle Times, Associated Press, KIRO-7 News, MyNorthwest.com, KING-5 News and Northwest Cable News all published either a picture or a video of Nordmark demonstrating how to use the HemoSafe.

Police stations get drop boxes for unused prescription drugs

The Take Back Your Meds campaign is in full swing and gaining some attention for the issues at hand.

The Tacoma News Tribune published this article which notes that the Health Department and local law enforcement agencies are putting steel drop boxes at police stations in Pierce County so people can anonymously drop off their unused meds. This is just a short-term solution to try and curb the accidents and deaths related to leftover medications.

This photo from the Tacoma News Tribune, shows one of the safe drug drop boxes found in Pierce County.


The Peninsula Daily News also published an article about the dangers of leftover prescription drugs, citing the death of a young Port Angeles girl who died when she overdosed on methadone. A local pharmacy in Port Angeles has been running a safe take-back program for over a year and half and has collected over two tons of prescription meds and containers.

For more information about the Take Back Your Meds campaign, go to their website at www.takebackyourmeds.org.