Ambulance shortage in Volusia County

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fl. (WOFL FOX 35) - The president of the union representing EMS employees in Volusia County says the department doesn’t have enough people to keep up with calls and response times have slowed down. 

“In cases of heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest, seconds count and as paramedics, when we’re having to respond to calls 10, 15, 20 miles away, the odds are already against us,” said Union President Jason Lademann. 

Lademann says sometimes, there are more 911 calls than ambulances available. 

“This has been a growing problem of we’ve seen an increase in the population in our community and with that increase in population, has come an increase in the demand for 911,” he explained. 

Lademann says the county, which runs the ambulance service, hasn’t increased staffing to keep up.  A spokesperson for Volusia County government send the News Station this statement in response: 

“Volusia County is a two-tiered system. By design, fire department first response often times arrives first and initiates care within the community.  A speedy arrival of a transport asset doesn't alleviate the necessity of first response providing adequate assessment and care. Additionally, fast response time affects clinical outcome in a small percentage of encounters.”