Ambulance board: average Mission response time 6:47; overlapping calls create capacity gaps
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Summary
The ambulance board reported an average EMS response time of 6 minutes 47 seconds, strong billing collections but frequent overlapping calls left no medic available multiple times in March.
The Mission Ambulance Board reported this week that the city's average EMS response time is 6 minutes 47 seconds, well under the national benchmark of 11 minutes, but overlapping calls are straining capacity and resulted in no medic being available on several occasions in March.
Jim Brown, chairman of the ambulance board, presented first‑quarter transport and response statistics at the City of Mission council meeting. Brown said the 6:47 figure measures from the time a call is received to ambulance arrival, and noted that fire engines staffed with EMTs or paramedics frequently arrive sooner than the ambulance.
Brown said Mission currently staffs four medics for its ambulance fleet and that planners are monitoring unit placement monthly to balance coverage. He said 59% of calls overlapped — meaning at least one unit was already on another call — and that in March the city needed mutual aid about ten times because no medic was available to respond.
The ambulance board discussed operational causes for overlap: ambulances tied up transporting patients and waiting to transfer custody at receiving hospitals, reducing available units. Brown said the board is analyzing where to base units to reduce wait times.
On billing and revenue, the board praised Emergecon, the third‑party billing firm the city contracts with. Board members said Emergecon finds payers for about 86% of calls and that the city collected approximately $1,500,000 from October through April. Board members said Mission has been cited by Emergecon as an example for others because of accurate field documentation and strong QA coding processes.
Councilmembers thanked board staff and recognized individual personnel for their documentation and billing diligence. Chief comments acknowledged repeated recognition of EMS staff for performance at recent council meetings.
The ambulance board presentation underlined two operational needs: (1) evaluate unit placement to reduce overlapping calls and (2) plan for additional resources or mutual aid when multiple simultaneous incidents occur.
