System Status Management

EMSA utilizes system status management - or fluid deployment, versus static deployment - to strategically position ambulances throughout the communities we serve. With system status management, EMSA analyzes past chronological demand (both the time of day and the day of week when calls are received) and geographical demand (the physical location where ambulances are needed) to determine where and when ambulances will be needed. For example, call volume tends to increase on Thursday and Friday afternoons - when people rush to leave work - and demand centers on and near highways and major thoroughfares. EMSA positions ambulances near high-volume routes in order to meet the rush hour demand. System status management requires constant real-time adjustment to deployment and staffing patterns in order to meet the needs of the community.

EMSA utilizes a sophisticated computer program to determine the system status plan. In addition to considering past call volume, the program also factors in road construction and normal traffic speeds at different times of the day. Dispatchers rely on the plan when directing ambulances to posts - which may be convenience store parking lots, public parks or other geographically diverse spots - throughout the service area.