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EMS Response Times in Flint and Genesee County

Emergency medical services are an essential part of the local healthcare and public safety system. When someone experiences a medical emergency, the ability to quickly connect with appropriate care can influence outcomes and the overall experience of patients and families.

In Flint and Genesee County, EMS response time is one important measure of how well the emergency response system is functioning, but response time alone does not tell the full story. EMS performance is also influenced by staffing levels, ambulance availability, the number and types of calls being received, travel distance, hospital capacity, patient needs, and how resources are distributed throughout the community.

  • Understanding Local Response Times: Recent research examining EMS response in Flint and Genesee County found that contracts with private ambulance companies did not result in sustained, long-term improvements in response times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, response times also worsened across Genesee County, with Flint experiencing a larger decline than the rest of the county.

    These findings highlight the importance of looking beyond a single performance measure. Understanding where delays occur, which communities experience them, and what system-level factors may contribute to those differences can help inform conversations about emergency medical care and health equity.

  • Explore the EMS Data: The Flint and Genesee County EMS Dashboard provides an interactive way to explore local EMS data and better understand patterns in emergency response. Explore the EMS Dashboard here.

Continue Exploring Health Equity in Flint

Health is influenced by many interconnected factors. Explore other areas within the interactive Flint community page to learn more about housing, transportation, food access, environmental conditions, community resources, and other conditions that shape health. Visit the Community page here.