- California is the state with the longest average EMS response time at 17.85 minutes – 69% higher than the national average
- Wyoming follows closely behind with an EMS response time of 17.54 minutes, which is 66% higher than the national average
- Rhode Island has the quickest EMS response time of 6.21 minutes – 41% lower than the national average
A new study has revealed which states in the U.S. have the longest average EMS response times, with California taking the top spot.
First aid course experts at Fundamental First Aid collected the latest NHTSA data on EMS response times for accidents resulting in at least one death across every state in the U.S. over a four-year period. The states were then ranked based on their average EMS response times during this period.
California has the longest average EMS response time at 17.85 minutes, which is 69% higher than the national average of 10.56. The state also experienced 897 accidents that involved at least one death during the period analyzed, as well as 973 fatalities.
Wyoming secures second place with an average EMS response time of 17.54 minutes – 66% higher than the national average. In Wyoming, there were 439 accidents involving at least one death and 502 fatalities in total during the four-year period.
North Dakota takes the third spot on the list, with an average EMS response time of 14.36 minutes (36% higher than the national average). There were 389 accidents that involved at least one death and 426 fatalities in total throughout the study period.
Fourth place goes to South Dakota. The state’s average EMS response time is 13.92 minutes, which is a 32% increase compared to the national average. South Dakota experienced 452 accidents involving at least one death and 511 fatalities in total during the four-year period.
Oklahoma is in fifth place, with a 13.68-minute average EMS response time – 30% higher than the national average. In total, there were 1,843 accidents involving at least one death as well as 2,050 fatalities within the period examined.
Blake Steinson, President of Fundamental First Aid Ltd., commented on the findings:
“A fast EMS response time is absolutely critical, as it significantly increases the chance of survival and reduces the likelihood of injury and damage. There’s a common pattern across the top ten states with the longest times: the majority of them are rural, such as Wyoming, North Dakota, and Alaska. Due to the population sizes and greater distance between patients and hospitals, residents of these rural states are faced with challenges when it comes to receiving timely medical assistance in the case of an emergency.
“Taking a certified first aid and CPR course can make a real difference in an emergency wherever you’re from, but particularly if you reside in one of the top ten states with the longest EMS response times. However, in the case of a non-life-threatening emergency, having someone drive you to the nearest hospital when possible could result in receiving medical attention faster while also placing less strain on paramedics.”