The Medic One Foundation recently announced that it is kicking off its year-end fundraising drive to help ensure that the region’s survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest remains among the highest in the world.

If met, the foundation’s $640,000 fundraising goal will cover the cost of training 24 new Medic One paramedics — the largest paramedic class since 2003.

Among the 24 paramedics in this latest class are Luke Beaty and Josh Peeples of the Redmond Fire Department.

The foundation funds the paramedic training that is the cornerstone of the region’s Medic One system.

“Our region’s firefighters and paramedics make this among the safest place in the country for victims of sudden cardiac arrest,” said foundation executive director Jan Sprake. “Most people don’t think about the quality of training paramedics receive or how to improve their chances of survival before they even reach the hospital. But when the unexpected crisis does happen and you or a loved one is fighting to stay alive, the paramedic training program we are asking you to support could play a big part in helping you win that fight.”

Sprake continued, “The funds we provide to train paramedics like Luke and Josh in Redmond, come solely through community support — we don’t receive any government funding. We need the community’s help now to support the caliber of training and education that allows our region’s paramedics to provide a level of pre-hospital care that is unmatched anywhere in the country.”

Donors can designate gifts for a number of essential items including textbooks and medical equipment that the students need to complete their training.

The rigorous paramedic training funded by the foundation provides more than double the amount of instruction time required by the national standard. To donate, or for more information, visit www.mediconefoundation.org.