During a recent government meeting, officials discussed critical issues surrounding emergency medical response times in the city. The chief of emergency services provided an overview of current response times, indicating that when a medic is stationed within the city, the average response time is approximately 3 to 4 minutes. However, if a unit is dispatched from Bethel, response times can extend to 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the location of the call.

The chief highlighted the challenges faced when relying on neighboring jurisdictions for assistance. For instance, if Bethel Park or Pike Township units are unavailable, calls may be redirected to Bethel Miami, which can result in delays of 20 to 25 minutes due to the complexities of crossing county lines and coordinating with multiple dispatch systems. This delay is particularly concerning for critical situations, such as heart attacks, where every minute counts.

The meeting also revealed that the emergency services are currently overwhelmed, with crews frequently handling multiple calls in quick succession. The chief noted that a single medic run can take up to an hour and a half, during which time the unit is unavailable for new calls. This has led to a situation where medics are often \"bumped out\" to neighboring areas for assistance, further straining resources.

Additionally, the chief expressed concerns about the wear and tear on emergency vehicles, with projections indicating that a new medic unit could exceed 100,000 miles within the year due to the extensive travel required for patient transport to various hospitals, including Miami Valley and Grandview.

The discussion concluded with a pressing need for a second line medical unit to alleviate the current strain on services, although no timeline was provided for when this additional resource might be available. The urgency of the situation underscores the critical need for improved emergency medical services to ensure timely responses for residents in need.