The Medic One Foundation has kicked off its year-end fundraising drive. If met, the foundation’s $615,000 goal would cover the cost of training 23 new Medic One paramedics – the largest paramedic class since 2003 – as well as the purchase of two new training defibrillators.

A total of $100,000 of the $615,000 goal still remains to be raised by the end of the year. The foundation funds the intensive paramedic training that is key to the area’s Medic One system. Reports show that the Seattle/King County area has a 62 percent survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest. Rates for other cities are New York (5 percent), Chicago (3 percent), Los Angeles (7 percent) and Detroit (0 percent).

“Our region’s firefighters and paramedics make this the safest place in the country for victims of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Jan Sprake, executive director of the Medic One Foundation. “Most people don’t think about the quality of training paramedics receive or how to improve your chances of survival before you even reach the hospital. But when the unexpected does happen and you or a loved one is fighting to stay alive, the paramedic training program we are asking you to support could play a big part in helping you win that fight.”

The foundation doesn’t get any government funding for the training it provides. Donors can designate gifts for a number of items including paramedic training textbooks, cardiac life support classes, medical equipment and the two training defibrillators.

The training for the region’s paramedics funded by the foundation provides more than double the amount of instruction time required by the national standard.

The demand for paramedics is expected to continue to be high over the next 10 years due to the upcoming retirement of many of the region’s senior paramedics.

To donate, or for more information, visit www.mediconefoundation.org.