Did you know that almost 90% of calls that Clark County Fire District 6 responds to are for emergency medical care, and 10% for fire suppression? Do you know the difference between ALS and BLS, and how it can affect you? Not quite sure what the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Levy is all about?

Then be sure to attend one of the EMS Levy Informational Open Houses offered by Clark County Fire District 6. The Felida Fire Station (11600 NW Lakeshore Dr) will be offering an Open House on July 29 at 7:30 pm. The Hazel Dell Fire Station (8800 NE Hazel Dell Ave) will be offering an Open House on August 12 at 7:30 pm.

Basically, the EMS Levy supports life-sustaining medical equipment and medicines that can only be administered by a Certified Paramedic. Our EMS Levy enables Clark County Fire District 6 to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) care by employing Paramedics (which we currently have). Please, try to attend one of the Open Houses for more in depth information, as well as having your personal questions answered.

Here are some basic differences between ALS and BLS:

*ALS- Emergency care provided by Paramedics with 1,500 hours of training
*BLS- Emergency care provided by Emergency Medical Technicians with 110 hours of training

*ALS- Can establish IV’s and administer life-saving medications
*BLS- Can not establish IV’s or administer medications

*ALS-Tracheal intubations and new airways in the neck
*BLS- Limited to external procedures only

*ALS- Diagnose heart rythms, increasing chance of early recovery from heart attack or stroke
*BLS- Serves as support for Paramedic

Clark County Fire District 6 serves the communities of Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Mt Vista, Felida, Sherwood, Lakeshore, and Fairgrounds.

Update: County Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on the proposed changes on December 8, 10 am at the Public Service Center (1300 Franklin Street).

Clark County Public Works will be holding an Open House for public input in regards to restricting parking in the Mt. Vista neighborhood by WSU in Salmon Creek.

In 2008, a group of residents North and West of the WSU Vancouver campus asked the county to restrict on-street parking. Surveys conducted in spring 2009 showed that a majority of residents living on Northeast 147th, 148th and 150th streets and 26th Avenue favored the change.

If approved, the county would restrict on-street parking along Northeast 147th, 148th and 150th streets between 29th and 26th avenues, and on Northeast 26th Avenue between 147th and 148th streets. The restrictions would occur Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Other roads north of Northeast 150th Street could also be affected.

If you want to be heard, or want to hear what others are saying,  the meeting will be Tuesday, August 11, 6-8 pm at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office West Precinct classroom, 505 NW 179th St., in Ridgefield.

*Originally posted August 10, 2009 at 9:45 am. Updated October 15, 2009 at 2:41 pm.