Frequently Asked Questions

We've compiled a list of often asked questions about the Medic One Foundation. If you need further information, please contact the Foundation office at (206) 744-9425 or e-mail the Foundation office.


  1. What is the difference between Medic One and the Medic One Foundation?

    Medic One:

    • Is funded by a voter-approved levy and provides emergency medical care to 1.7 million Seattle and King County residents.
    • Relies on approximately $38 million in levy funding for paramedic salaries, vehicles, medical equipment and supplies.

    Medic One Foundation:

    • Is privately funded with an annual program services budget of $800,000 that supports paramedic training and continuing education, targeted research and special projects and medical oversight.
    • Creates program enhancements that have set the standard for pre-hospital emergency care in the U.S. and around the world.

  2. Who provides Medic One Services?

    Calls to 911 are triaged at five dispatch centers throughout King County. Firefighters trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) are dispatched to provide Basic Life Support. In the event of a critical or life threatening illness, Medic Units staffed by paramedics are dispatched to provide Advanced Life Support. In contrast to EMT's, paramedics can administer a variety of drugs, open airways and perform other, more technically advanced emergency medical care.

    There are six paramedic provider agencies throughout King County:

  3. What percentage of funds goes directly to programs?

    The Foundation Board is diligent in its efforts to maximize the value of each donor's gift. In 2006, 15 cents of each dollar received was spent on fundraising, 18 cents on management and operations, and 67 cents was available for Foundation program services, including paramedic training, quality improvement, research and equipment grants.

    Grant distributions for program services in 2006 totaled $773,656 and represented 57% the Foundation's total expenses.

  4. What is the geographic impact of the Foundation's Support?

    The Foundation provides funding to train paramedics for all Medic One providers in King County, as well as certain providers in Snohomish County, including Everett Fire Department, Marysville Fire Department and Snohomish County Fire Districts #1, #7 and #8.

    Other Foundation-funded programs, such as patient care quality improvement and research, have direct and indirect benefits that influence pre-hospital emergency care around the world, through shared protocols and published research findings.

  5. Don’t taxes cover all the costs for providing Medic One Services?

    Property taxes cover the basic operating costs of Medic One services. But they don't fund all the programs that are essential to the quality of care that we currently experience. The Foundation has established a private/public partnership that advances the highest standards for Medic One services - not unlike private/public partnerships that are equally significant for other important institutions in our area, such as our public schools, universities, libraries and parks. Your support will ensure that this level of quality care continues to be available, now as well as in the future.

  6. How does the Foundation impact the quality of pre-hospital emergency care?

    1. The Foundation guarantees rigorous paramedic training and continuing medical education that is experienced-centered and under the guidance of University of Washington physicians.
    2. The Foundation ensures the quality of pre-hospital emergency care through independent medical review - continuously evaluating Medic One services, monitoring treatments and outcomes and developing new approaches to improve survival.
    3. The Foundation sponsors targeted research on methods to improve patient outcomes and prevent sudden cardiac death.
    4. The Foundation equips emergency medical service providers by funding special equipment needs to help them in better serving their communities.

  7. What is the history of Medic One and the Medic One Foundation?

    Medic One began with a basic need and focused vision.

    The Seattle visionaries who founded the Medic One program in the late 1960's believed that bringing an advanced life support system right into the home of a heart attack victim could improve the chances of survival with early pre-hospital intervention. These visionaries were the late Gordon Vickery, Chief of the Seattle Fire Department, and Dr. Leonard A. Cobb, a University of Washington cardiologist.

    In concert with the Seattle Fire Department, Dr. Cobb conducted a study to determine whether lives could be saved with pre-hospital care and whether non-physicians could provide high quality care with remote physician guidance. He found that they could - and Seattle Medic One was born.

    Incorporated in 1974, the Medic One Foundation’s mission is to raise money to support excellent pre-hospital emergency care. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization governed by a Board of physicians and community leaders. Building upon the basic emergency medical system infrastructure, which was already in place and funded by local cities, the Foundation focuses on developing and sustaining programs that are critical to providing the highest quality of care and increasing the number of lives saved.

  8. How can I contribute to the Medic One Foundation?

    Call or email the Medic One Foundation directly at (206) 744-9425 or e-mail info@mediconefoundation.org. In addition, this website offers detailed information for contributing to the Foundation.

  9. Where can I get more information about the Foundation?

    More information is available by contacting the Medic One Foundation at (206) 744-9425 or e-mail info@mediconefoundation.org.

  10. How are Medic One services funded?

    Medic One:

    1. Is funded by a voter-approved levy and provides emergency medical care to 1.7 million Seattle and King County residents.
    2. Relies on approximately $38 million in levy funding for:
      • Paramedic salaries
      • Vehicles
      • Medical equipment and supplies

    Medic One Foundation:

    1. Is privately funded with an annual program services budget of $800,000 that supports:
      • Paramedic training and continuing education
      • Targeted research and special projects
      • Medical oversight
    2. Creates program enhancements that have set the standard for pre-hospital emergency care in the U.S. and around the world by funding.

    The Medic One Foundation is the “best investment” in emergency medical services.

    Because it is independent and privately funded, the Medic One Foundation has distinct advantages that result in the highest level of care possible.

    The Foundation is a unbiased entity that has the ability to evaluate procedures and outcomes with the singular goal of improving lifesaving services.

    Your gift, saving more lives.

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