Elevate Health and OnePierce Devote Over $290k for Pierce County’s Fire and Rescue Services, Bringing COVID-19 Response Funding Total to $729k

by Elevate Health    May 6, 2020

Elevate Health and OnePierce Devote Over $290k for Pierce County’s Fire and Rescue Services, Bringing COVID-19 Response Funding Total to $729k

Contribution Will Support COVID-19 Emergency Response Efforts and Lessen Interruptions in Operations

TACOMA, Wash. — Emergency medical services are the first line of defense when it comes to the health and safety of our community. As vital service personnel work to keep us safe, they are taking added steps to slow the spread of the virus and limit exposure to their own employees. Many are also facing new challenges in their COVID-19 response, such as workforce staffing and personal protective equipment shortages. Elevate Health is delivering $299,000 to emergency medical services across Pierce County to help address the challenges presented by the pandemic.

“Our fire departments and first-responders are always there for us. Now it’s our turn to be there for them,” said Elevate Health and OnePierce Chief Executive Officer, Alisha Fehrenbacher. “We are here to help keep their operations running smoothly as they supply new levels of support for the community in response to the coronavirus.”

Elevate Health is distributing $299,000 in the below amounts to support fire and rescue services in their COVID-19 response efforts.

  • Graham Fire and Rescue to receive $43,000
  • Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One to receive $40,000
  • Orting Valley Fire and Rescue to receive $40,000
  • Pierce County Fire and Rescue to receive $48,000
  • East Pierce Fire and Rescue to receive $45,000
  • Pierce County Fire District to receive $40,000
  • West Pierce Fire and Rescue to receive $43,000

With this funding, Elevate Health has contributed $729,000 for health care, community, and emergency medical services in Pierce County as part of its rapid response to COVID-19 challenges. This amount includes $180,000 to our regional network of behavioral health providers and community-based care organizations, and $250,000 to the Pierce County Connected COVID-19 Response Fund.

Elevate Health and OnePierce’s rapid response funding and results-driven work is designed to meet the community’s most urgent needs and limit the disruption of valuable services to Pierce County’s diverse population. During this crisis, each continues to be a bridge for clinical and community strategies while integrating the needs of our partners and programs to create practical, effective solutions for our community.

About Elevate Health

Elevate Health is a Washington nonprofit organization catalyzing system change and aimed at improving equitable whole-person health. We operate on a community-focused and valued-based model to guide community asset building and renewable investments. We are a bridge for clinical and community strategies while integrating the voices of our community, partners, programs, data, and investments. We champion a cross-sector approach across every stage of life in alignment with our mantra of “Healthy People, Vital Communities.” For more information, please visit www.elevatehealth.org.

About OnePierce, Community Resiliency Fund

OnePierce, Community Resiliency Fund (“OnePierce”) is a Washington nonprofit organization and vehicle for planning and making collective investments to improve health and health equity in Pierce County. Its mission is to invest in community health and vitality for whole-person health across every life stage. OnePierce is an impact investment fund due to its ability to capture and reinvest the shared value.

Note: This article predates the September 2023 merger between Elevate Health and OnePierce, and as a result of the merger, some content may no longer be accurate. For more information on the merger, click here. Please contact Elevate Health with any questions.