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09/07/2009: "Football Player Airlifted From Field"

(Orcas Island Fire Rescue photo)

On Saturday, September 5th, Orcas Island and Friday Harbor football teams battled for victory . Friday Harbor won, but the important even was the quick response given to an injured Friday Harbor football player.

After Friday Harbor football player Dalton Baker collapsed on the sidelines due to an accidental -helmet to helmet contact- members from San Juan EMS and Orcas Island Fire Rescue immediately responded to stabilize the player.


According to Orcas Division Chief Patrick Shepler, Chief Paramedic Jim Cole from San Juan and Paramedic Mark Van Maren from Orcas worked with EMTs George Schermerhorn and Paul Spencer to get the patient stabilized and ready for transport.

Orcas EMT Bob Phalan called for Airlift to respond directly to the adjacent playing field while Shepler and Orcas EMT, Jim Schuh coordinated scene
safety and the landing zone for Airlift. Baker was flown, within minutes of the injury, to St Joseph hospital in Bellingham for evaluation.

According to Phalan, With Dr. Mike Sullivan as our county medical director, our islands are a true EMS System.