Emergency Medical Service Councils were authorized by the Legislature in 1972. Grays Harbor established GHEMS in 1973. The first Chairperson was Clarence Esses of Lake Quinault Fire Department. Membership was made up of representatives of each Fire Department and Fire District, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, Hospitals, and interested citizens, 50 members in all.

Each County in Washington State has a Council. Some more active than others. Grays Harbor council also has responsibility for the Northern part of Pacific County. Each County has a Medical Program Director that is responsible for the training of all Pre-hospital providers that operate ambulances or aid cars in that county. We boast of the very BEST in Juris Macs, MD, FACS.

We opened our first office in 1980 and incorporated at that time. A coordinator and secretary worked on a part-time voluntary basis until 1985 when a coordinator and secretary were hired.

Our funding comes from Washington State Department of Health and Grays Harbor Transportation Authority and charges for various classes and seminars.

Our main mission is to train and coordinate all pre-hospital providers, with all of the requirements of Emergency medical response. We also coordinate public first aid classes on a need basis. We are affilalited with American Heart Assn. and teach all phases of CPR classes. We have a large group of instructors that are trained to teach in all areas of first-aid and CPR classes.