01 Dec The Only National Standard for EMS Response Time
When a patient calls 9-1-1, their expectation is that help will come reliably fast. Several clinical conditions may benefit from rapid intervention (e.g, CPR). For decades, systems have grappled with what intervals to measure and how fast is clinically appropriate. While there are many EMS position papers or recommendations for a response time goal, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments is the only “national standard” for both defining the intervals to measure and the time goal to meet.
Purchase a copy of NFPA 1710 here.