Reporter Spends Ride-Along Time with Wash. Agency

Nov. 22--On Wednesday, I learned probably the only thing I'd be prepared for as an emergency medical technician and firefighter is counting to 30 -- the number of compressions between two breaths during CPR.

If it came down to it, I could probably try to administer CPR to someone in need. But I would sure hope someone else was there to switch off because it is tiring.

The on-duty crew with Lewis County Fire District 5 gave me a peek into what their day is like with an aid scenario, tour and a ride to a medical call.

Firefighters and EMTs Maria Kennedy and Kelsey Williams, information officer Lt. Laura Hanson and assistant MSO Megan Van Egdom gave me a CPR refresher during the medical emergency scenario they put together.

The women tested my high school health class CPR training when we pretended to respond to a call for an unconscious man slumped over in a chair. We grabbed all the equipment we might possibly need based on the minimal details about the situation.

When we arrived -- to an office in the station in Napavine -- a full size dummy weighing about 160 pounds was lying on the floor next to a toppled-over chair. Kennedy checked to see if the man was responsive. He wasn't. After checking his breathing and airway, she and Williams began CPR.

Then they called me in to begin chest compressions. Williams continued working the bag-mask resuscitator giving two breaths for every 30 compressions. It didn't take long for me to get tired and Kennedy took over again. I watched as the patient was loaded onto a backboard and then a gurney and then into the ambulance.

We pretended to drive to the hospital. After a bit, I took over compressions again while riding in the back of the moving ambulance. Engaging my legs to balance required additional energy. If we were actually hurrying to a hospital, I'm pretty sure I would have lost my balance during the trip.

Unfortunately, despite our efforts, our pretend patient died.

While the fast-pace situation was slightly overwhelming for me, the crew was calm. They were constantly communicating and were able to anticipate what the other was going to do next.

"We trust each other with our lives," Kennedy said. She described the crew as family.

When we got back from our medical emergency scenario, we walked to the nearby building where two fire engines -- one is typically for backup -- are housed.

The women showed me the equipment, and yes, I tried on the firefighting gear. It was heavy and awkward.

I manage to fall down stairs fairly often wearing regular clothes, but I climbed up to the rig operations area behind the cab wearing gear, including an oxygen pack, without too much difficulty.

After shedding Hason's gear, Williams, Van Egdom and I took the backup or rescue engine for a drive.

Williams said some common issues the district faces when going on calls is hard-to-read addresses on houses, a lack of hydrants and narrow driveways.

Working for District 5 gives firefighters/EMTs a variety of experience with commercial businesses, homes, farms, highways and Interstate 5 in the jurisdiction, she said.

"I wouldn't trade this for any other job," Williams said.

Just after we parked the engine at the station in Napavine, we saw Kennedy and Hanson running to the ambulance. An aid call for a possible stroke came through to the station.

I rode in the back of the ambulance and we sped to a home near Napavine. I waited outside the home for the OK to enter since I was there as an observer.

When I came in, I watched the team fall into roles handling the situation in what Kennedy called "organized chaos."

Kennedy asked the patient questions and acted as the scribe, writing down vitals taken by Van Egdom and Williams. The medic joined us shortly after we arrived.

After tests, it was decided transportation to the hospital wasn't required. I was taken back to the station by Williams and Van Egdom in a District 5 pickup so I could head to my next assignment while they waited for theirs to come in from dispatch.

Kaylee Osowski covers crime, emergency responders and court proceedings for The Chronicle. She can be reached at (360) 808-8208 or kosowski@chronline.com.

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