EMS staff to present details at upcoming community meetings
This year, Wake County EMS marks 50 years of unwavering service to the community. As Wake County grows faster than ever, the department is developing new ways to respond to the rising demand for emergency medical care, preparing for the next 50 years and beyond.
Wake County EMS is ready to enter this new era by making changes to its 911 call response plan. The new plan improves the system's ability to get the right care to the largest number of patients in the right amount of time.
"One thing that will never change in Wake County is our commitment to building a safer community," said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson. "Wake County EMS is modifying its methods to make sure the system can respond to every call in the safest and most effective way, even as our county grows and evolves."
Response plan changes
Modern EMS systems use data to inform their call response plans. After analyzing the responses and outcomes from hundreds of thousands of 911 calls, Wake County EMS system leaders created a plan designed to improve efficiency, safety and patient care.
Every day, 911 centers sort incoming calls into hundreds of categories to make sure the right help is sent to each caller. Under the new plan, calls for EMS will be sorted even more precisely, so each patient gets the most appropriate help. Call sorting depends on factors like the patient's main concern, when symptoms started and other details about the situation.
Responses could include an ambulance, a fire truck with an ambulance, a nurse call-line or another type of help. Firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and highly trained 911 call takers can also work together to send extra support if things change or more details come in.
"Call sorting, otherwise known as "call triaging", is not new, but today, we have even better ways to do it," said Wake County EMS Director Jon Studnek. "Along with hiring staff and adding new resources to our system, improved triaging helps us stay ahead of growth and provide the best possible service to everyone who needs us."
As part of the new plan, Wake County EMS will also reduce the use of lights and siren in certain situations. Lights and siren will still be used in time-critical emergencies, but studies have shown that turning them off when appropriate is safer for responders and the public. Even today, lights and siren are not used for every call. The updated plan provides clear guidelines, helping EMS identify additional call types where lights and siren can be avoided.
Community Meetings
Wake County EMS will present more information about the changes at seven upcoming community meetings. Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions.
The dates and locations for the meetings are:
- Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. – Wake County Emergency Services Education Center, 221 S. Rogers Lane, Raleigh (Virtual option available)
- Tuesday, March 3, 11 a.m. – Wake County Emergency Services Education Center, 221 S. Rogers Lane, Raleigh (Virtual option available)
- Tuesday, March 3, 7 p.m. – Morrisville Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville
- Monday, March 9, 7 p.m. – Wake County Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest (Virtual option available)
- Wednesday, March 11, 1 p.m. – Bond Park Community Center, 150 Metro Park Drive, Cary
- Wednesday, March 11, 7 p.m. – Beech Bluff County Park, 3321 NC 42, Willow Spring (Virtual option available)
- Thursday, March 12, 7 p.m. – Wendell Falls Public Safety Station, 6021 Taylor Road, Wendell
To learn more about studies on lights and siren use, visit the Lights and Siren Collaborative.
For more information about the changes and upcoming meetings, visit wake.gov/emschanges.
