When you call 911 for a medical emergency, you expect paramedics to rush to save your life. In Dunwoody, city councilman Terry Nall says some crews are taking their sweet time.
“It’s very concerning, the first five minutes of any medical emergency. That is significant…the difference between life and death,” said Nall.
Nall has been tracking American Medical response times since they first signed a contract with DeKalb County in 2013, making them the only ambulance service in the county.
He says the agreement guarantees the national standard, which is eight minutes, 59 seconds on 90 percent of the calls.
Nall says AMR has violated that contract, showing up 14 minutes, 8 seconds for most calls in Dunwoody. And throughout DeKalb County, it takes them almost 15 minutes to get to a scene.
“I do police ride-alongs with each shift three times a year, and I see first-hand how they’re just waiting and waiting…for the emergency service to arrive,” said Nall.