Analyzing ambulance response times & pre-deployment in Bruce County Robert Crigger

The Project The purpose of this ISP study is to evaluate and assess the EMS response systems in Bruce County, Ontario The study area incorporates the current response coverages for agencies located within rural Bruce County, Ontario. By identifying areas where distance and/or time of response can be reduced this analysis will create a safer environment for its residents.

Key Players The key players in this independent study are the Bruce County EMS, Chesley branch, and myself. The Bruce County EMS, Chesley branch, worked with me in providing as many resources as they could. They provided current information on their operating system. They also provided suggestions for my proposed improvements.

Objectives The objectives of this ISP are to answer the following questions and provide a basis for an improvement in service and response; 1. Using the spatial relationship of emergency base locations to response calls to show what extent of emergency response coverage areas currently are unrealistic or illogical given the rural area. 2. To what extent will comparative analysis of current emergency response areas to GIS developed divisions yield improved services by the responding agents in Bruce County EMS branches? 3. What factors influence response times among agencies beyond transportation types, traffic, time of day, time of year?

The Data The data collected for my ISP Includes; A timed distance from the Chesley branch for every minute traveled outwards for 15 minutes at 100km/h (1772m is the average per minute) Bruce County map outline EMS Locations

The Steps The First step in my ISP was to geocode current EMS base locations in Bruce County. I then added a multi-ring time buffer which was developed from the timed GPS points. This provided the bases for suggested new locations and outlined areas of insufficient coverage.

The Steps Then next step was to develop divisions based on the response time buffers. The divisions would allow the reassigning of each incident to the closest EMS base and improve response times significantly. Then Major roads with the most access to others in the division were chosen for pre- deployment routes.

Results This analysis of response times has yielded improvements in the theoretical time taken for EMS responders to arrive at an incident. The comparison of coverage areas to times generated using multi-ring buffers in GIS, demonstrate how improved coverage boundaries could on average lower response times for each Base. By reassigning each incident to the closest EMS base that could respond, which was completed by creating boundaries based on closest facility, the times were significantly reduced. The pre-deployment routs offer easy access to most secondary roads and improve response times to outer rings in the response buffer.

Conclusion This analysis developed new response boundaries based on actual information provided by a logical examination and was successfully able to increase the potential for efficient EMS response. Utilization of GIS during the response phases of emergency management would result in an efficient and effective emergency management agency in Bruce County. To respond intelligently requires significant levels of spatial awareness only attainable through the use of a GIS technology.

Robert Crigger, CGO4M June 14th 2013