South County Fire reports 60% cardiac-arrest survival rate, details contract metrics and community programs

South County Fire and Rescue delivered its annual report to the Edmonds City Council on Feb. 25, outlining response volumes, patient outcomes and the regional contract framework that governs service in Edmonds.

The presentation said the agency responded to 38,676 calls across its service area in 2024, with 6,334 of those calls in Edmonds. Communications Director Christy Haley told the council, “South County Fire is proud to be serving the Edmonds community for 15 years.” Haley and agency chiefs emphasized that most calls are medical in nature and that the department trains and staffs for that demand.

The report highlighted cardiac-arrest outcomes in Edmonds, where the RFA’s preliminary survival rate was reported at 60 percent — well above commonly reported national averages. Haley said the rate has held near 50 percent for at least the last 10 years and that “we think this rate will probably go up. But right now, we know it's at least going to be 60 percent.” The department credited “high performance CPR” protocols, multi-person responses (typically nine to 12 firefighters on cardiac arrests) and equipment such as mechanical compression devices (Lucas) and whole blood…