Jeff Humphrey, Media Content Coordinator, 509.625.6308
Friday, April 13, 2018 at 4:04 p.m.
It’s a life-saving luxury many of us take for granted.
From just about anywhere in the country, punch in a trio of numbers and you’re connected with call receivers 24/7, ready to help you.
Here in our area, more calls to 9-1-1 come in from West Central Spokane than any other part of the City and that concerns District 3 Councilwoman Karen Stratton.
“We had been talking a little bit about what kind of information we can provide those people and health tips on when they need to call 9-1-1 or other resources in the community that are available to help them,” Stratton said.
Stratton wants her constituents to know how to access the appropriate level of care for their medical problems.
Call 9-1-1 for something like an ear infection and you could wind up in the back of an ambulance, then wait for hours in the E-R before you receive treatment.
Stratton says ideally, for an earache, you’d head to the nearest urgent care center and start feeling better, sooner.
“You can get seen, get some directions from the doctor and get home,” Stratton said of using the urgent care centers.
Thursday, April 19th firefighters and the Red Cross will be going door to door in West Central to pass out flyers that explain when to call 9-1-1 and when it might be easier for you to seek treatment somewhere else.
“Let them know about the services that are available to them, how to access those services at the best price with the least amount of interruption in their lives,” explained Stratton.
For example, not many West Central residents know, you don’t need to be Native American to receive medical care at the nearby Native Project Health Center.
“I’m sure there are people who could get dental services who don’t even know are around in their neighborhood,” Stratton said of the Native Project facility.
That’s why Stratton has invited West Central neighbors to a Health and Safety Fair, later this week, where dozens of non-profits will be waiting to help connect people with the services that could save them time and money.
The Fair is at the West Central Community Center Saturday, April 21st from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
