MEDIC ONE is a layered emergency response system provided by King County, its cities and fire districts. Every three minutes the MEDIC ONE system responds to a medical emergency in King County. When contacted by citizens via 9-1-1, dispatchers send appropriate emergency care and provide CPR and automated defibrillator instructions by telephone, as well as pre-EMS arrival instructions to families or bystanders. Firefighters trained as EMTs usually arrive on the scene within five minutes of being called, and provide basic life support and defibrillation. Paramedics, who are trained to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) to acutely ill or injured patients, respond to emergencies within eight to ten minutes and act as an emergency room on wheels.

The levy will support MEDIC ONE for six more years, enabling it to continue providing a high level of region-wide service and to continue saving lives. The MEDIC ONE levy provides for: • Training for paramedics and EMTs to provide out-of-hospital specialized emergency care with strong medical oversight by physicians • Three new paramedic units in the next six years • Training citizens in CPR and other basic first-aid • Fire department emergency medical services and equipment, and training to provide basic emergency medical care • A reserve fund to ensure there's no interruption of lifesaving services in the event of natural disasters or terrorist acts. • Annual audits and potential levy reductions in future years if excess reserves are accumulated

The Medic One levy is not a new tax; it's the re-authorization of the existing 22 cent tax with an 8 cent increase. The increase covers inflation and adds new paramedic units to serve our increasing and aging population.The levy would cost the owner of a $400,000 home about $120 per year.

If passed, King County Proposition #1 would assess a levy of up to 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation – the rate recommended by stakeholders who represent the full range of MEDIC ONE providers including urban and rural fire departments, paramedics, emergency physicians and medical directors, finance specialists, dispatch agencies and ambulance companies.