How long are EMS wait times in North Dakota?

Kawundo.com

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BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — When disaster strikes, the speed at which Emergency Medical Services teams respond can be the difference between life and death. While this is normally not an issue for those in cities or suburbs, people in rural areas may be at greater risk during emergencies, as their isolation makes it take longer for EMS teams to arrive. Unfortunately, as new information shows, many rural states are particularly at risk in this regard — including North Dakota.

As part of a study on emergency response in America, researchers with Omega Law Group collected EMS response data from accidents resulting in at least one death from 2018 to 2022. After analyzing the average times in question, it was revealed that the Peace Garden State has one of the slowest response rates in America, only surpassed by Wyoming and California.

According to the research, the average EMS team in North Dakota takes 14.36 minutes to arrive at a fatal emergency — which is the third-longest response time in the nation. In contrast to these long delays, states like Delaware, Florida, and Rhode Island report much shorter response times: a factor due in part to their smaller size and more city-focused population.

“The states with the longest average EMS response times are spread across the country,” states Omega Law Group in a press release, “but share a common challenge: vast, rural areas. Wyoming and Alaska, with their sparsely populated landscape, face unique challenges in providing timely emergency care. Even populous California struggles with long response times. Long EMS response times pose significant risks for accident victims. Delayed medical care can aggravate injuries and reduce survival rates, potentially leading to severe damages and complex legal issues. These figures highlight the need for improved emergency response infrastructure, resources, and innovative solutions in these states.”

To learn more about Emergency Medical Systems in North Dakota, visit this page on the ND Department of Health’s website.