Minutes 08-30-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The factors that most commonly impact response time include: - The time required to access and engage the vehicle - The speed at which the emergency vehicles is able to travel - The distance that must be covered to the incident dispatched, and - Under what conditions Consequences of increased response times for cardiac arrest/stroke: 0-1 minute; cardiac irritability 0-4 minutes; brain damage not likely 4-6 minutes; brain damage possible 6-10 minutes; brain damage very likely >10 minutes; irreversible brain damage Response Time ".....have recommended that EMS vehicles should respond to deliver BSL (basic life support) skills within 3 to 4 minutes, with ALS (advanced life support) skills available within 6 to 8 minutes. The ALS-within-8-minute concept was developed from research that showed the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims decreases significantly with each passing minute, and that optimal probabilities for survival increase when BLS has been provided within 4 minutes followed by ALS within 8 minutes." American College of Emergency Physicians American Heart Association American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons National Fire Protection Association He said that it is a concern that the average response time in 2011 was 10:47. Response Time OCEMS Agency Standards per System Plan: For Emergency Responses; .....a paramedic on scene within 12 minutes 90% of the time For Non-Emergency Responses; ......a paramedic on scene within 15 minutes 90% of the time Although not acceptable to the referenced standards setting and professional organizations cited, concern can be offset somewhat by effective and timely response from certified BLS responders; i.e. certified Medical Responders (MR) and Basic Level Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's). In Orange County, these responders-per the OEMS System Plan-are comprised of members of the 12 municipal and community Fire Departments.