Klickitat County EMS District #1

10/22/2026

Just a reminder to everyone to get out and VOTE! Your vote matters!

If you see Klickitat County EMS District #1 on your ballot, we want to make sure you understand what the measure is about.

What is the initiative asking?

The measure would change our currently approved six-year EMS levy into a permanent levy.

Same levy rate. The difference is that it would become permanent rather than requiring renewal every six years.

How would this help our EMS District?

✅ Long-term financial stability: Provides a more predictable source of funding for emergency medical services.

✅ Better long-term planning: Allows the District to plan for staffing, ambulances, equipment, and future operational needs.

✅ Facility financing: A permanent levy would provide greater financial predictability as we explore financing options for our station improvement projects.

✅ Continuity of service: Reduces the uncertainty associated with periodic levy renewals.

What would stay the same?

The proposal is not asking voters to approve a higher levy rate. It would change the duration of the existing levy.

We encourage everyone to learn about the measure, ask questions, and make an informed decision.

Thank you to our communities for your continued interest in Klickitat County EMS District #1 and the emergency medical services we provide!

Don’t forget to vote!

10/20/2026

This is why we do what we do.

Not all of our calls have this same outcome, but moments like this are what get us through the long shifts, bad days, and late nights.

There’s nothing better than seeing that we made a difference in someone’s life—and in this case, potentially gave someone more time with the people they love.

But we don’t do this alone.

Our local volunteer fire departments, Sheriff’s Office and police departments, dispatchers, Life Flight, and our local hospitals all play a part in making outcomes like this possible. It truly takes a team.

Please support your local emergency services. If you can volunteer, volunteer. If you can’t, give your local department a call and ask what you can do to help. These departments are here every day to serve our communities, and they need the support of the communities they serve.

We’re incredibly thankful that this story had the outcome it did, and we’re honored that he and his wife were willing to share their story with all of you.

This is why we do what we do. ❤️

Video and story shared with the permission of the patient and his wife.

This is "Larry Short Interview" by Klickitat County EMS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

10/17/2026

Election Day is coming up fast!

A reminder to our community: Ballots are on their way, and November 3rd is approaching!

KCEMS1 is on the ballot this November. Here's some information to help you understand the proposed levy and what it means for our community.

Same Levy Rate. Permanent funding.

What is being proposed?

Klickitat County EMS District #1 is looking to make the current EMS Levy permanent.

The proposal would not increase the current tax rate, only make it permanent.

Why does EMS funding matter?

Consistent funding helps:
• 24/7 emergency medical response and paramedic coverage
• eliminates renewal uncertainty
• Trained paramedics and EMTs serving our communities
• Life-saving medical equipment and supplies
• Supports funding options for our new buildings
• The resources needed to provide emergency medical services throughout Klickitat County

Emergency medical services are an important part of community safety, and this ballot measure is an opportunity for residents to learn more about how those services are funded.

Want to learn more?

Visit our website for details about the proposed levy, its purpose, and what it means for our district:

🔗 https://kcems1.com/levy

Take time to review the information, understand what's on your ballot, and make your voice heard this November!

10/04/2026

A huge shoutout to the Goldendale community and our KCEMS1 crew!

We had a fantastic turnout at today’s Open House, with a steady flow of community members stopping by to meet our crews, tour the future home of KCEMS1 in Goldendale, check out our ambulances, and learn more about what’s ahead.

Thank you to everyone who came out and showed their support, and to our crew members who helped make the day a success!

A special thank you to Cheyenne and Wally for coming in on their day off the day before to clean, prep, and help get everything ready. Your extra effort was greatly appreciated!

Also a huge thank you to Quinton and Maddie Deo for cooking our food for the White Salmon and Goldendale Open House!

We’re proud to serve Goldendale and Klickitat County, and grateful for the support of our community.

Thank you for a great day, Goldendale!

09/28/2026

📣 THANK YOU to all the community members that stopped by our open house in White Salmon yesterday, we appreciate your support!

Looking forward to our open house in Goldendale - we'll see you this coming Saturday!

09/25/2026

Good morning, Klickitat County!

It’s another beautiful day in the Gorge — with a little rain on the side!

🚑 OPEN HOUSE REMINDER!

Join Klickitat County EMS District #1 tomorrow, Saturday, September 26th, from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM at our future White Salmon station location:

📍 1350 N Main Ave, White Salmon

Come meet our EMTs and paramedics, tour an ambulance, learn about our future station plans, and see where KCEMS1 is headed!

🎙️ We were also on the radio this morning!

https://midcolumbiatoday.podbean.com

KCEMS1 was hosted on Mid-Columbia Today with Mark Bailey to talk about our EMS district, the upcoming open house, and the ballot measure coming before voters this November.

Have a listen to the interview and learn more about KCEMS1, where we are today, and our plans for the future of emergency medical services in Klickitat County.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

Klickitat County EMS District #1
Your ALS Ambulance Service

The Columbia River Gorge's premier radio talk program since 1970 is now available on demand! Mark Bailey talks to the newsmakers from around the region every weekday morning, airing live in the Hood River/The Dalles area on 98.3 FM/1340 AM KIHR at 8:05 a....

09/17/2026

🚑 You're invited to our upcoming Community Open Houses in White Salmon and Goldendale!

Tour our current EMS quarters and visit our future station locations. Come see where we are today — and where we’re headed!

These open houses are for everyone in our community, and we’d love to see you there. Bring your family, stop by, ask questions, meet our crews, and see firsthand what’s ahead for Klickitat County EMS!

09/11/2026

Congratulations to Victoria Keith and Wally Walsborn! Both of them graduated from Paramedic school today! These two have put in a tremendous about of work over the last year and a half. Working full time, going to school, raising their family and so much more all at the same time!
Victoria and Wally are the first two KCEMS1 employees to go through our educational assistance program! We are proud to have them as a part of our team:) They both have some hard work ahead of them as new paramedics, but they will do great!
If you happen to see them around town or the community, congratulate the two of them.

Congrats both of you, so proud of what you have accomplished!

08/04/2026

We would like to recognized and thank Chief Will Harryman for his incredible service to Klickitat County EMS District #1 and to the EMS profession.
Will dedicated 43 years to EMS, serving our community in many different roles throughout his career. At KCEMS1, Will served as a part-time and full-time paramedic, Administrative Assistant and as our Chief of EMS Operations. Throughout each role, Will led with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine commitment to providing the best possible care to our patients and support to our staff.
Last Friday, July 31, we had the privilege of celebrating Will's retirement with family, friends, current and former coworkers. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on his career, share memories, and thank him for the lasting impact he has made on our organization.
On behalf of our EMS Board of Commissioners and everyone at KCEMS1, thank you, Chief Harryman, for your leadership, mentorship, and dedication over the years. Your contributions have helped shape our district and will continue to benefit our community for years to come.
We wish you nothing but happiness, good health, and success as you begin this next chapter. Congratulations on your well-earned retirement—you've certainly earned it!
Thank you for 43 years of service to EMS. You will always be a part of the KCEMS1 family.
William Harryman