Outer Islands

When you have an emergency, immediately call 9-1-1. Give the dispatcher the following information:

  • Nature of the illness or accident
  • Number of people involved
  • Exact location including address, apartment number or block of the street
  • Your name and call back number
  • Anything else the dispatcher might ask

Do not hang up until instructed to do so by the dispatcher.

If you are on a boat or an outer island and are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and give your exact location. Cell phone technology will generally also transmit your GPS coordinates, sometimes speeding the response to you.

San Juan County’s Sheriff’s dispatch will call a medical helicopter from the mainland (when available) and if circumstance merit, will launch a marine (boat) response as well.

Keep calm, provide first aid, and do not hang up on the dispatcher until told to do so. If civilian resources such as Airlift Northwest, Island Air Ambulance, local response from EMS, Fire and Rescue, and Vessel Assist are unavailable or require additional assistance, military agencies such as the US Coast Guard and the US Navy may also be utilized.