Tegan Harrington assisting with Easter egg hunt in Downieville last month.

As counties across America struggle to staff various medical positions, Sierra County has overcome this challenge and gained a paramedic and Emergency Medical Services Operations Manager, Tegan Harrington. Accompanied by his wife Erin and their beloved labrador mastiff, Kiara, the Harrington's relocated to Downieville from Jacksonville, Florida, bringing much-needed experience and a heart to serve.

My first impression of shaking the hand of this 26-year-old was his absolute professionalism. Within five minutes of conversing, his good nature, humbleness, kind-heartedness, and authentic exuberance permeated the atmosphere.

Growing up in Wasilla, Alaska, Harrington enjoys fishing, hunting, and the great outdoors. He and Erin shared the desire to live in a place with "a small town feel," thus prompting his quest for employment outside of busy Jacksonville. Our small mountain communities fit the bill perfectly.

Around 70% of the nation's paramedics have a college diploma, and Harrington is one of them. Before entering emergency medical training, he attended Northern Arizona University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in biomedical science.

Deputy Medical Director for Downieville Ambulance & Urgent Care, Frank Lang, explained the paramedic salary is "half paid by Measure G in Downieville & Measure H in Sierra City passed by the voters two years ago. Those measures allowed for an assessment of $60 per year per improved parcel in each district in order to hire a paramedic. The other half of Tegan's salary is paid from the Sierra County Transient Occupancy Tax of 2.5% (of the total 12.5%) paid by visitors to the area who rent motel rooms and B&B rentals." Therefore, according to Lang, those who desire “Advanced Life Support care in emergencies, such as cardiac and pain management medications, advanced pediatric and adult airway management, should vote again in favor of the Parcel Tax Measures in 2024.”

The budget for Advanced Life Support is roughly $100,000 plus medical supervision, medications, supplies, and equipment necessary for Advanced Practice. Despite all the beautiful trees in our area, money doesn't grow on them, we need these measures to pass as Harrington's contract with the Downieville Fire Protection District Ambulance will need to be renewed after June 2024.

Lang confirmed, "In general, we respond to approximately 100+ emergency calls per year, half of which are in the Downieville Fire Protection District and the other half are in the Sierra City Fire District. 90% of the calls require Advanced Life Support skills. About 30% of the calls require the ambulance to take the patient to a helicopter pad for transport to a regional medical center that can provide specialized care."

What will occupy our new paramedic's time in between calls? One would be surprised at the amount of work assigned to the role. In short, responsibilities include overall management of the Downieville Fire Protection District Emergency Medical Services Program for western Sierra County, responding to all emergency calls, completing all patient medical reports, meeting all federal, state, and regional reporting requirements, ensuring all volunteer EMS Personnel have current certifications, providing training for new Emergency Medical Responders, EMTs, and Advanced EMTs, ensuring all equipment is maintained correctly, operational, emergency medical supplies are adequate and in date as well as applying for grants and other funding that will allow us to update our ambulances, equipment, supplies, and training. One of the first duties Harrington assisted in since arriving was completing an audit of ambulance responses over the past five years— no light task.

The Downieville Fire Protection District is doing a Recognition BBQ on May 20th to thank the Department's Volunteer Fire and EMS Responders for their gift of time and service. May 27th is part of National EMS Week, and there will be an Open House & BBQ from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the Downtown Fire Department Building that will include a "Meet & Greet" for our new paramedic, Tegan Harrington & his wife, Erin. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served to the public. The food is complimentary, but people may make donations if they wish.