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International District Emergency Center (#08)

The International District Emergency Center (IDEC) was founded by Donnie Chin and Dean Wong in 1968 to provide emergency medical services to the Chinatown-International District in light of City disinvestment in the neighborhood. IDEC’s headquarters is located in the Sun May Company, Seattle’s oldest Chinese antique and gift store. The area once included family apartments for the second generation of the early Chinese American community. See the nearby storefront exhibition on Donnie Chin and the International District Emergency Center.

Images

View of Canton Alley, from the south on Weller Street to the north towards King Street. Photo by Michael B. Maine. Wing Luke Museum Collection.

Six alley apartments originally lined the sides of Canton Alley. They mostly served Chinese American families, sometimes with multiple families living in each. Photo by Michael B. Maine. Wing Luke Museum Collection.

Red storefront marks IDEC’s headquarters, also home to the Sun May Company. Photo by Michael B. Maine. Wing Luke Museum Collection.

Paper cranes created by community members mourn the loss of Donnie Chin, killed while on duty in 2015. Photo by Michael B. Maine. Wing Luke Museum Collection.

Detail of Donnie Chin memorial. Photo by Michael B. Maine. Wing Luke Museum Collection.