New medic upgrades in the works

Two updated medic units will soon join the Thurston County Medic One system.

The Hawks Prairie unit at the Steilacoom fire station is currently a 12-hour unit. Plans call for a gradual phase in to make that a full time medic unit. If plans are approved, a third medic will be added this year and two more next year. It’s anticipated that it will become a 24-hour unit by June 2013.

Plans also call to add one more medic and make the Rochester Sprint unit a 24-hour unit.

Cost for the Steilacoom upgrade is $187,000 annually. Cost for the Rochester unit is $90,000.

Thurston County Commissioners will get a briefing at their next regular meeting. It will be on the agenda for approval at the February 7 or February 14 meeting.