After months of searching throughout the West Coast, and three offers made and ultimately rejected, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue has hired its fourth full time paramedic from within the ranks.

Jeffrey Larsen, who will have his first shift on April 11, immediately responded to the e-mail about the opening and scored highest on the test administered by Dr. Michael Sullivan the San Juan County Medical Director.

“I view him as one of the most trusted medics I have ever met. I have always wanted him to work on Orcas.

“He clearly gained the respect of the EMTs during a multiple trauma car accident involving young people on Orcas. If you can ever test a paramedic under fire, being alone on a remote island with that level of chaos was the acid test of his competency. He is going to be great for Orcas.”

Larsen had worked on the OIFR staff as a part time paramedic for about a year in 2004 and then reduced his hours to an on call basis. He has worked full time as a paramedic for Snohomish County Fire District #7 since 1992.

He currently lives in Spokane, but he and his wife, a real estate agent, are planning to move to Orcas.

He completed the EMT training and then went on to take the course work necessary to be a paramedic. Larsen has also worked as a Fire Lieutenant in Snohomish and has taught at the North Bend Fire Academy for two years.

“I loved the island and liked the people and the scenery,” said Larsen. “In 2004, the paramedic program was in a state of transition. There really wasn’t much of a program and it had all turned upside down. Now, everything is in place, and I am looking forward to doing this full time.”

The hiring of Larsen puts into place the last component of the Division Chief Paramedic plan and concludes a tumultuous period of uproar over budget issues and the Battalion Chief position that lasted more than a year.