Mario D’Lerma, the EMS Chief at Ferry/Okanogan Fire Protection District #14, known locally as north Ferry County Ambulance, prefers to avoid the spotlight. But the services he and his team provide to the North Ferry County community deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. 

Ferry/Okanogan Fire Protection District #14 is located in the Okanogan Highlands of Northeast Washington. The District is geographically isolated by high mountain passes, narrow valleys, and many steep drainages. The District covers 322 square miles of rugged, intense terrain, serving a community of 2,000 people (seasonally variable), many of whom live off grid in remote and often inaccessible areas.

Chief D’Lerma and his team face a number of challenges providing fire, EMS, and COVID-19 test distribution services to north Ferry County, but they navigate these challenges with creativity and determination. Read more below!

Located along the northern border of Washington State, north Ferry isn’t an easy place to live, but the community is resilient, scrappy and there for each other. And the fire department and ambulance service are the same way. With many community members living off grid, it’s difficult for them to access services – and difficult for firefighters and EMS to provide them.

 Many community members do not routinely seek preventive medical care – so the calls that Chief D’Lerma and the team respond to are usually serious. If a home is inaccessible to the ambulance, the Chief and his team figure it out – whether they have to walk a stretcher 200 yards to carry the person out, or collaborate with the sheriff and border control.

Knowing what to expect on calls allows Chief D’Lerma and his team to better help the person in need. That includes knowing what type of injury or accident to expect, what medical emergency to mentally prepare for, and knowing whether or not the person has COVID-19. Having access to testing in a community without a major medical center or can make a difference to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“It’s hard for us when we don’t know what we are getting into or what we are going to the call for. Sometimes people say it’s their heart – and then we arrive, and it’s respiratory. Then you have to go out and gown up before going in. We always assume and prepare for the worst when we go to a scene by mentally preparing for multiple scenarios. What if it’s this? What if it’s that? That way we can be better prepared for whatever we’re getting into.”

Chief D’Lerma started working with the WA COVID-19 program over a year ago when he heard that he could access free testing for his community. And in north Ferry, having access to resources isn’t always a given. There’s a scarcity there – of funding, of resources, of services, and even of volunteers to help staff the department. So the free testing was an opportunity for Chief D’Lerma to help both community members and the volunteers in his department.

“Since we have a lot of people living in such remote locations, we thought that would just give us a better idea of what we’re dealing with when we get our calls. And help us know how much PPE we need to put on in order to go to the scene. Some of the people who call 911 don’t give clear answers about the situation, so it’s hard to tell what we are dealing with. It makes it easier if we have COVID testing on board. We have a really good crew and we bounce everything off each other and it works for us.”

In a rural community with a dispersed population, Chief D’Lerma had to be creative about test distribution. He had to clearly communicate that tests were a service they were providing, and not something being mandated or required. And, aside from having his team carry tests on ambulances, he had to find a place where he could consistently distribute them.

He and his team focused on community events and activities. They saw the most excitement from the Curlew exercise group, run by a number of retired community members. The group caters to people who are 60 and older, bringing them together to exercise twice a week. This provided a great outlet for test distribution.

They also distributed tests at the fall fair and other community events. The Chief provides first aid education services at the Curlew School, so he is able to ensure that the school community has enough tests. He has the relationships to leverage winter sports for test distribution as well.

“We try and emphasize to kids and parents that they can get free testing through the school. We try to do whatever we can to get that information out there so if people are interested, they can access tests in various ways.”

It’s important for Chief D’Lerma that he “can make sure that anyone who wants to give tests out can do so.”

COVID fatigue is real, however, and the Chief is seeing less interest in tests lately. But since COVID is still a very real risk for many people, the Chief is committed to providing tests for those who want them.

“We are just trying to make sure they are safe and healthy, and if they aren’t – we get them to the hospital as quickly as possible. That’s our goal. We are just trying to do what we can, any way necessary. If people are interested – we will gladly supply tests.”

The team in north Ferry has taken a creative approach to COVID-19 test distribution. They are innovative and do whatever they can to support their community. But, as a community that isn’t part of a major urban center, they are often doing so with very limited resources.