Yakima County Information

The Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services was established by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and a Director was hired in September, 1988. It was determined by the BOCC that the creation of an EMS office was necessary, as a result of the recommendations by two advisory committees and the Washington State DSHS, EMS Section (now the Department of Health, Office of EMS and Trauma Prevention). The office was originally located in the basement of the County Courthouse and a part-time secretary was hired in 1989. In December, 1996, the EMS Office moved to a location in the Yakima Health District building, and moved once again in February, 2005, to its present location in the Glenwood Square Mall. The Department now employs three full-time staff: EMS Manager, EMS Training Coordinator and Secretary and several part-time staff.