Orcas paramedics aren't entirely new

Both have been here before.

Valerie Harris-Faddis and Mik Preysz, the local fire department's two new paramedics, know all about what it's like to provide emergency medical care on Orcas Island. That's because they've done it before.

Harris-Faddis, the wife of another former local paramedic, Dave Faddis, was a full-time paramedic on Orcas from 1988 to 1993. Since then, however, she has continued to make herself available whenever Orcas needed a fill-in.

Preysz, a paramedic here during the summers months from 1991 to 1994, also has continued to offer his services as a fill-in. He has also maintained a connection to the islands as a paramedic on the MedFlight helicopter.

Granted, things have changed since the early '90s, when paramedics had to arrange their own housing. Today, they are required to reside in the Eastsound Fire Hall while on duty. Back then, the paramedic's role was limited to providing emergency medical care; today, he or she is required to double up as a firefighter. The new demands of the job required the paramedics to become certified as firefighters.

Both like the new arrangements. Harris-Faddis describes the new fire hall as "beautiful." Preysz is excited about becoming a firefighter. "It's a neat challenge to add something else," he said. "I wish that I had done this before."

One other thing is different. "It's a lot busier," Harris-Faddis said. "Our call volume has doubled" since the early '90s.

The job here is also very challenging, because there is no hospital and a lot less backup than one would get on the mainland, Preysz said.

Both new paramedics will continue to live off-island when they aren't on call, although Preysz said that he and his wife are looking forward to living here full-time in about a year and a half. The reason? That's easy. "I love the islands," he said, adding money isn't the main reason why he sought the job. Both are being paid about $57,000 a year.

The fire department has hired a third paramedic, Patrick Shepler. He will be living here full-time. Shepler is now on his way from Florida, and is expected to begin working on the island in October.

Orcas has had three paramedics for some time. But after Jim Prades and Mike Damoth left the department more than a year ago, the fire department relied on fill-ins, plus long-time paramedic Dave Zoeller, so it could continue to provide 24/7 emergency medical care while fire commissioners ironed out a contract with the paramedics. That work was completed at the beginning of the summer, at which time Zoeller announced that he too would be leaving after all three paramedics are on the job, and one is ready to take over the administrative duties of the department's Emergency Medical Services. With the contract in his hand, Fire Chief Mike Harris undertook a search which culminated in the hiring of Harris-Faddis, Preysz and Shepler.

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