About Us
The "Regional Council" was created by the Washington State Legislature, and is empowered by legislative authority (RCW 70.168.010‑70.168.900) and the Department of Health Administrative Code (WAC 246-976) to plan, develop, implement, administer, and oversee the EMS and trauma care system in the six counties that comprise the Southwest Region. The Regional Council serves Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Southern Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties.
The Department of Health (DOH), Office of Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention, provides funding for the Regional Council to carry out its legislative mandate. The Council works with DOH, six county medical program directors (MPDs), five designated trauma facilities, six 9‑1‑1 centers, 49 licensed EMS agencies, and over 1300 certified first responders, emergency medical dispatchers, EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physicians, allied health professional, and numerous other public, private, and non‑profit organizations to carry out its mission.