The States with the Quickest EMS Response Times: Michigan’s is 54% Lower Than Bottom-Ranked California’s

Article courtesy of  Fundamental First Aid.

• Rhode Island has the quickest EMS response time of 6.21 minutes – 41% lower than the national average
• Michigan is in eighth place with an average EMS response time of 8.26 minutes, which is 22% lower than the national average
• California is the state with the longest average EMS response time at 17.85 minutes – 69% higher than the national average

A new study has revealed which states in the U.S. have the quickest average EMS response times, with Michigan taking eighth place.

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.

Michigan’s findings

Michigan ranks eighth overall with an average EMS response time of 8.26 minutes, which is a 22% decrease in comparison to the national average. There were 2,520 accidents involving at least one death and 2,710 fatalities in total during the study period.

National findings

Rhode Island has the quickest average EMS response time at 6.21 minutes, which is 41% lower than the national average. Rhode Island experienced 275 accidents involving at least one death and 286 fatalities throughout the four-year period analyzed.

Massachusetts follows behind with an average EMS response time of 6.34 minutes – 40% lower than the national average. In Massachusetts, there were 1,762 accidents involving at least one death and 1,850 fatalities within the study period.

Next is Nevada, with an average EMS response time of 6.44 minutes (39% lower than the national average). In total, there were 342 accidents involving at least one death and 355 fatalities during the four-year period.

Connecticut has the fourth-quickest EMS response time at 7.09 minutes, which is 33% lower than the national average. The state experienced 939 accidents involving at least one death and 1,000 fatalities within the study period.

Delaware rounds out the top five states with the quickest EMS response times at 7.26 minutes – 31% lower than the national average. There were 538 accidents involving at least one death and 582 fatalities in total throughout the four-year period.

The top five states with the quickest EMS response times:

On the other end of the scale, 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.

Montana lands in sixth place with an average EMS response time of 13.59 minutes, which is 29% higher than the national average. The state experienced 859 accidents involving at least one death and 951 fatalities.

In seventh place is West Virginia, with an EMS response time that is 25% higher than the national average at 13.20 minutes. Throughout the study period, there were 446 accidents involving at least one death and 472 fatalities.

Alabama takes the eighth spot, with an average EMS response time of 12.85 minutes – 22% higher than the national average. In Alabama, there were 3,471 accidents involving at least one death and 3,782 fatalities.

The ninth spot goes to Alaska, with an average EMS response time of 12.18 minutes (15% higher than the national average). The state experienced 249 accidents involving at least one death and 282 fatalities within the study period.

Idaho rounds out the list in tenth place with an average EMS response time of 12.17 minutes, which is also a 15% increase compared to the national average. Throughout the four-year study period, there were 985 accidents involving at least one death and 1,096 fatalities in total.

The top ten states with the longest EMS response times:

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.”

Methodology:

Data from the NHTSA was gathered on EMS notifying and arrival times for accidents resulting in at least one death in every state from 2018 to 2022. The states were then ranked based on the average EMS response times throughout this four-year period.

Indiana, South Carolina, and Virginia were excluded from the study as there was no data on EMS notifying times.

Full ranking: