The Future of Wake County EMS

Putting Safety First – For Everyone

Wake EMS staff teaching CPR to a child
Wake County EMS teaching CPR basics at a community event
Wake County EMS is making changes to our call response plan in 2026 – to make sure we get the right care to the largest number of patients in the right amount of time.

As always, the safety of patients, providers and the public will be our top priority. 

911 Call Response Changes

Wake EMS supporting a patient during training exercise
Wake EMS prioritizes compassionate, timely care during emergencies.
After studying hundreds of thousands of 911 calls and responses, Wake County EMS system leaders created a new call response plan in 2025.
  • The most appropriate resource will be dispatched first for each call.
  • Responses may include an ambulance, a fire truck, a nurse call-line, or another resource depending on the situation.
  • First responders can request additional help as more information becomes available.

Lights and Siren Use

Ambulance parked outside of EMS station
As part of these changes, we'll be reducing our use of lights and siren in some cases.

Studies conducted locally and nationwide have shown that turning off the lights and siren during EMS response can sometimes be the safer choice for everyone. 

  • Lights and siren will still be used in the most time-critical situations.
  • Excessive use is linked to increased traffic accidents involving emergency vehicles, leading to injuries and fatalities of patients, EMTs and the public.
     

For more information, visit the Lights and Siren Collaborative.

Why the Change?

Wake County EMS is adapting to a rapidly growing population by building a safer community together. By revising our call response plan now, and continuing to seek out innovative ways to improve our services, we are working to ensure prompt, compassionate and clinically excellent care for the residents of Wake County now and in the future.

Community Meetings

We’ll hold several public meetings across the county to provide more information, answer your questions and get your feedback.

Questions?

Residents and the Public: Email EMSOutreach@wake.gov for more information about our new call response plan.

Media: For media inquiries, please email communications@wake.gov.