King County Medic One

05/29/2026

Today we say congratulations and farewell to Andy Johnson on his last day at Medic One after an incredible 31-year career. 🚑❤️

Like so many in this profession, Andy’s story started long before Medic One. In 1987, he began as a volunteer firefighter at North Olympia Fire Department, earning his EMT certification and setting the foundation for what would become a lifetime of service. He worked his way through ambulance companies across Thurston County, spent a year on the streets of Chicago, and worked at Shepherd Ambulance in Seattle. In 1991, he completed the Washington State Fire Academy at North Bend. Then in 1995, Medic One selected him for PMT Class XXII and he became part of the founding crew that put Medic 7 in service from day one.

In 2013, Andy pivoted to serve as a Firefighter/Paramedic at Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, returning to the academy to renew his FF certification, before coming back to King County in 2017 when we began providing ALS service to the Island.

Andy has always led by example- and his contributions go well beyond the rig. As a Field Training Officer, he invested in the next generation of paramedics, passing on the skills and standards that define this organization. He represented King County Medic One on a trip to Japan to learn their EMS system. As a 5-year member of the Air Support Unit, he brought a rare combination of medical expertise and backcountry instinct to some of our most challenging and remote missions. Tomorrow, he takes one final flight with ASU before closing this chapter. 🚁💪🌥️

Then it’s off to the farm! His family and the pigs are waiting, and knowing Andy, there’s already a list of projects and adventures in the works. 🐷🌾🏍️

Andy, thank you for your dedication and your years of service to this organization and the communities we serve. It has been an honor. Enjoy every moment of what comes next. 👏

05/27/2026

We’ve seen babies delivered in cars, elevators, and living rooms… but this one takes the cake. 🎂🦍

Proud to recognize Senior Paramedic Jeff Allen for representing King County Medic One in one of the most extraordinary deliveries we’ve ever heard of… supporting the team through an emergency C-section for Olympia, a western lowland gorilla at Woodland Park Zoo! 🩺🌿

Five days past her due date, complications left Olympia unable to deliver on her own, triggering an incredible mobilization of medical talent. An outstanding team of OB surgeons, a neonatologist, and nursing staff from Swedish Medical Center performed the procedure, while professionals from Butterfly, UW Emergency Medicine, and MFM Specialists of Puget Sound provided critical real-time ultrasound guidance after closely monitoring Olympia’s pregnancy for months. Woven throughout it all was the exceptional animal health and gorilla care team at Woodland Park Zoo, whose months of dedicated work (including training Olympia to voluntarily participate in her own ultrasound exams) made this rapid, coordinated response possible. Jeff was proud to be on scene supporting this remarkable team, because that’s just what Medic One does. 🚑💙

Of the 17 gorilla births in Woodland Park Zoo’s 126-year history, this was the first ever C-section and fewer than a dozen have been performed on gorillas worldwide. What an honor to have been part of this moment, even in a supporting role. 😄 Mom and baby are doing well, and we couldn’t be more proud. 🦍❤️

Check out more info and photos via Woodland Park Zoo! 🫶

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We remember not only their service, but the lives they lived, the families who carry their memory, and the legacy they leave behind. May we continue to remember and honor them.
🇺🇸

05/24/2026

05/19/2026

Happy EMS Week to our incredible paramedics and EMS colleagues and partners 🚒🩺🚑

This year’s theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together,” reflects the heart of EMS and the work our medics do every single day. Through compassion, skill, teamwork, and resilience, they show up during life’s hardest moments and make a lasting difference in our community. Behind every response are long hours, missed time with loved ones, and a level of dedication that often goes unseen.

The impact of that dedication is reflected in the outcomes our EMS system continues to achieve. In 2025, the cardiac arrest survival rate in King County reached 53%- two to three times higher than the national average. These extraordinary outcomes are a direct reflection of the commitment, training, teamwork, and excellence demonstrated across our EMS system every day.

Thank you to all of our paramedics and EMS professional colleagues for the sacrifices you make, the care you provide, and the lives you impact every day. Your work does not go unnoticed, and you are appreciated beyond measure. 💙🚨

D.J. Sonsteng Photography

05/18/2026

For over 50 years, the EMS/Medic One system has been a lifesaver for King County residents. The survival rate for people suffering from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital has tripled, and anyone experiencing sudden illness or injury receives emergency care 24/7/365.

The next time you hear a Medic One rig or fire vehicle go by, please think about the Emergency Medical Services responders who are working day and night to bring urgent, life-saving care directly to our doors when we need it most.

To our responders - thank you for putting the needs of your communities first in delivering world-class emergency medical care across our county. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay King County Medic One

05/14/2026

After an incredible career in EMS, we’re celebrating the retirement of Senior Paramedic Carol Turner! 💐

Carol joined Medic One as part of Paramedic Training Class 22 and spent her career serving communities across King County (especially the Burien/White Center community) with compassion, dedication, and heart.

Before joining Medic One, Carol worked with King County Ambulance and Med Tech Ambulance, and also volunteered for two years with Issaquah Fire Department.
When asked about the highlight of her career, Carol shared that the best part has been all of the amazing people she’s met and worked with along the way. What she may not realize is that for so many of us, SHE has been one of those amazing people. Carol’s bubbly spirit, kind smile, contagious joy, and ability to brighten even the toughest shifts have made a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know her.

Thank you, Carol, for your years of service, friendship, laughter, and unwavering commitment to the communities you served. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you nothing but happiness, relaxation, and adventure in retirement! 💙🚑

05/12/2026

A few months back, hosted two Taiwanese paramedics and two Taiwanese SWAT officers for a tour of our agencies and the region, and we were thrilled to be a part of it 🇹🇼🤝🇺🇸

Our crews went above and beyond to make the visit memorable by giving tours of medic units, showing off specialized EMS and tactical equipment, answering questions, coordinating a visit to the Air Support Unit, and even sharing agency patches with our guests.

Getting the chance to collaborate and connect with other agencies, both locally and internationally, is always an honor and a privilege. The hospitality, professionalism, and willingness to share knowledge really reflected the best of our team and our region’s EMS community.

We’re already looking forward to hosting again in the near future.

05/07/2026

We are so grateful for our incredible colleague nurses at Valley and every hospital we transport to. From the ED to the skies 🚁 and every floor and specialty in between, nurses are the calm in the chaos, the glue that holds it all together. Your dedication, skill, and compassion make every patient journey smoother, safer, and better. We see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you every single day. 💙

05/05/2026

Fire departments and EMS agencies across King County are looking for future firefighters and EMS providers and are expanding recruitment efforts to provide applicants with useful information on navigating the hiring process. Mentors from the profession will also be available to workshop attendees. 🤝

The next Diversity and Recruitment Workshop is on May 30 at Bellevue College. 🗓️

This workshop is open to EVERYONE at least 16 years of age and we welcome members of the BIPOC community, women, bilingual adults, LGBTQIA+ or those with no prior fire service experience. For more information and to sign up for this opportunity, check out the link via the QR code.