The Interim Fire Chief reported to the Board on June 11, 2026 that, pending Board approval, KVFR intends to stand up a dedicated “day car” unit to handle non-emergent interfacility transfers between 0800 and 2000 hours. This unit would be first-out for non-emergent transfers while emergent transfers remain 911 incidents handled by shift units, and it will use one of three existing GMC medic units once selected by the mechanic. The Chief is currently obtaining prices for a stretcher and auto-loader for this unit, developing qualification standards for staff, and working with the Training Division on policies and procedures, with initial staffing from off-duty paid staff, reserves, and EMT volunteers and later per-diem personnel. No vendor has yet been chosen for the stretcher, auto-loader, or staffing/dispatch aids, and the interfacility transfer policy change still requires Board approval and coordination with Kittitas Valley Healthcare. This creates a near-term need for transport equipment, potential vehicle upfitting, training, and possibly scheduling/dispatch tools to stand up and optimize the new unit.

Policy change is tied to a broader safety standdown and hospital pressure on transfer capacity; KVH ...