After starting formal talks earlier this year, Clallam County Fire District 3 will begin a new community paramedicine program this September.

The district recently announced the appointment of Mark Karjalainen as its first Community Paramedic, who starts his new role on Sept. 1.

The former Port Angeles Fire Department firefighter/paramedic was hired in Sequim on March 1, 2022, and will now lead a program that’s similar to Port Angeles’ that started in 2019.

Fire Chief Justin Grider said via a press release that Fire District 3 has “a need for someone to help take the load off the 9-1-1 system, especially when it’s something that could be handled by a single medic.”

District officials have said throughout the year the position will seek to improve responses to frequent 9-1-1 callers and manage non-emergent calls more effectively, such as falls or medication management, while connecting patients with local resources and services.

“We’re positioning ourselves to adapt to changes in what this role can be,” Grider said. “Mark is the right choice because he is open to expanding the position, and we are excited about the services he will bring.

“He is a charismatic leader, an excellent paramedic, and a wonderful partner to our community. We are fortunate to have him serving us.”

Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash/ Firefighter/paramedic Mark Karjalainen, left, pictured with Captain Kolby Konopaski, medical safety officer with Clallam County Fire District 3 in 2022, demonstrate how paramedics use a ZOLL X Series monitor/defibrillator following a donation from the Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild. Karjalainen was just appointed to be the district’s first community paramedic.

Fire district officials previously reported that about 21% of annual call loads in recent years are low acuity, or less dangerous, with a record amount of total calls anticipated this year. By June 30, the district had received 349 more 9-1-1 calls versus the same time frame in 2023.

Fire commissioners agreed to a memorandum of understanding with firefighters union IAFF Local 2933 for the Community Paramedic position on July 9 to have it be for at least two years, 40 hours a week, and include a personal vehicle to respond to calls.

The new position shifts from the district’s low acuity unit of one staffer formerly held by now retired firefighter/EMT Scott Dickson.

Earlier in July, Grider said Port Angeles has a different demographic than Sequim, and he feels there are a lot of unknowns to discover with the new paramedic position.

“Truly, we’re going into uncharted waters here,” he said. “We have an idea of what we could be serving but that could change rapidly.”

Jeff Nicholas, the district’s fire board chairman, said in July that other districts with community paramedic programs report it’s helped eliminate a lot of frequent 9-1-1 calls.

District officials report that Karjalainen’s appointment demonstrates a significant advancement in the district’s commitment to enhancing public health and safety.

“This proactive approach aims to prevent situations from escalating into emergencies, thereby optimizing emergency response times and educating the community,” district leaders stated in a press release.

Clallam County Fire District 3 continues to operate with 50 career firefighter positions, including the community paramedic position.

For more information about Clallam County Fire District 3, visit ccfd3.org.