Delaware County’s ambulance response is the fastest in the state, writes Kathleen E. Carey for Delaware County News Network.

Delaware County’s emergency medical service providers had the quickest response time out of 67 counties, according to a 2018 report from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Bureau of EMS.

Responders were safely on location at emergencies within six minutes of being dispatched, reported Pat O’Connell, regional emergency medical services director.

The bond shared in Delco communities and the network between the 40 EMS agencies and six hospitals contributed to the success rate.

“It’s a close-knit community,” O’Connell said. “Everybody works together … It’s one of those brotherly love things.”

There were 1,500 EMS providers who responded to close to 60,000 calls last year. First responders arrive in minutes even with the region’s heavy traffic.

Delco’s EMS also has great relationships with surrounding counties from Chester, Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia.

A lot of training, and a good dispatch system all contributed as well, O’Connell said.  Dispatchers will send the closest ambulance to a location to reduce the response time.

“Our goal is to answer on the first ring,” said Emergency Services Director Timothy Boyce.

Read more about Delco’s response time here.

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