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County to move $348,080 overdose‑response expansion with Port Angeles Fire to regular meeting
Summary
A contract funded from behavioral health 1/10th‑of‑1% dollars would add two community paramedic/post‑overdose response positions via Port Angeles Fire to expand coverage across roughly 170 square miles; staff gave outcome metrics (78% linkage to treatment) and commissioners supported advancing the contract for final approval.
County staff presented a contract to expand a Port Angeles Fire community paramedic/post‑overdose response team by two positions using behavioral health funding.
The contract, covering 01/01/2026 through 12/31/2027, totals $348,080.43 and was described by staff as the last allocation from the behavioral health 1/10th‑of‑1% funding approved in December 2025. Presenter (speaker 12) said the program emphasizes immediate outreach, field‑based stabilization, warm handoffs to treatment partners and, where appropriate, on‑scene buprenorphine initiation.
Staff cited program metrics from prior funding cycles: a 78% treatment linkage rate for overdose survivors, patients seen by community paramedics experienced a 50–74% reduction in 911 calls, and roughly 72% of overdose survivors accepted transport when community paramedics were present. Commissioners asked about coordination with nearby fire districts and with the county harm reduction health center; staff said teams work in tandem with harm reduction partners and extend outreach into additional districts.
Several commissioners expressed support for moving the contract forward and asked staff to place it on the next regular meeting agenda for final approval. No final contract signature occurred at the work session.
