Putting Safety First – For Everyone

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. 

Lights and Siren Use

As part of these efforts to improve public safety for all, we'll be reducing our use of lights and sirens.

Studies conducted locally and nationwide have shown that in some cases, turning off the lights and siren during EMS response is the safest choice for everyone.

• Lights and siren will still be used in the most time-critical situations.
• Use of lights and siren is a medical intervention — for critically ill patients, the minutes and seconds saved can be lifesaving.
• 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.

911 Call Response Changes

Responding quickly to emergencies while reducing lights and siren use requires updating our 911 call response plan.

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.