EMS Coverage

Durham EMS stretched thin with multiple emergencies Tuesday night

There were no EMS units available Tuesday night to respond when a Durham police officer, en route to a shooting scene, was in a crash.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Wake EMS offers CPR training, builds network of citizen responders

Wake County is training up a network of people to perform lifesaving CPR. Using an app, trainees can be notified if they're near someone in distress.

Do you know CPR? Wake County EMS using app to build network of citizen responders

Wake County is training up a network of people to perform lifesaving CPR. Using an app, trainees can be notified if they're near someone in distress.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Garner adding station for police, fire, EMS to serve booming population

A new public safety station will bring police, fire, and ambulance crews together under one roof to respond faster to emergencies in a fast-growing part of Wake County.

Newest class of EMS graduates largest, most diverse in Wake County

Wake County's largest-ever class of paramedics is graduating Monday.

Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter and Lora Lavigne, WRAL reporter

Paramedics rush to aid of victims with shooter still at large

Radio traffic shows those first responders working through a dangerous situation near the Hedingham neighborhood in east Raleigh that would eventually end with five people dead and a sixth in critical condition.

OT suit settlement will cost Wake taxpayers $395K

Wake County is paying nearly $400,000 to settle a federal, class-action lawsuit filed by emergency medical services (EMS) workers who claimed they were owed overtime money.

Wake Co. EMS failed to pay overtime. Now taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $400K

Wake County is paying nearly $400,000 to settle a federal, class-action lawsuit filed by emergency medical services (EMS) workers who claimed they were owed overtime money.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

'It gets real:' Kids as young as 6 trained to treat gunshot wounds in local neighborhood

Because of the gun violence in Durham, some residents - including children - are learning how to treat gunshot victims.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter

Ambulance shortage impacts on busy July 4 in Durham

At one point Monday night, there were no ambulances available in all of Durham county.

'No EMS available:' Durham had no ambulances for a period of time on Independence Day

At one point Monday night, there were no ambulances available in all of Durham county.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Raleigh 911 dispatcher says some shifts way below minimum coverage, putting public at risk

A Raleigh 911 dispatcher says public safety could be at risk if work conditions don't improve. She's leaving the job, burnt out from chronic staff shortages and low pay.

Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter

Johnston County paramedics to receive 42% pay increase

Paramedics in Johnston County are set to receive a 42% raise, as part of an effort to make EMS pay more competitive with Wake County.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern NC reporter

High-cost ambulance rides leaving families with difficult decisions

High dollar ambulance costs have families second guessing life-saving services. A Wake County program is intended to help, but 5 On Your Side looks into what happens when the wrong county shows up.

Increase in Durham shootings puts strain on EMS

Durham is on pace this year to set a new high for the number of shootings.

Durham has had 182 shootings this year alone, data shows

At least 10 people were shot during the past week in Durham.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter

Changes coming for 911 callers in Wake County

Wake County is switching up how it handles 911 calls, employing nurses to help answer the phones.

Nia Harden, WRAL reporter

Wake County EMS relies on teenagers to help out during staffing shortage

Administrators at Wake County EMS are having to find creative ways to fill shifts, including encouraging a younger generation to step up. Michaela Casey is one of the many teenagers who is compelled to serve others and provide life-saving care to Wake County.

Wake County EMS trains young generation to help fill staffing shortages

Wake County EMS is training a younger workforce to fill ambulance staffing shortages. We'll tell you about a new program training high school students to become full-time first responders.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Nurse hotline, training for high schoolers part of Wake EMS plan to address record calls

With calls for emergency assistance in Wake County on track to set a record this year, Jose Cabanas, medical director for Wake County EMS updated county commissioners, updated county commissioners Monday on plans to address staffing shortages and meet the need.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Wake EMS director talks staffing shortages

Dr. Jose Cabañas, medical director for Wake County EMS, discussed staffing shortages and an influx of calls at the Wake County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021.

FEMA delivers help to struggling Wake County EMS

New state-of-the-art ambulances and trained EMS crews are arriving in Wake County on Friday.

Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporter

Vaccinated first responders more at-ease during COVID-19 pandemic

Vaccination rates among local first responders vary widely by location. Nash County EMS reported a vaccinate rate of 47 percent, while Wake County EMS has one at 90 percent.

FEMA sends 25 ambulances, paramedic crews to NC to aid in pandemic response

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent 25 advanced life support ambulances to North Carolina to help nine counties where EMS systems have been overwhelmed trying to respond to the pandemic, officials said Monday.

Paramedics say low pay is preventing Nash EMS from having enough workers

A paramedic in Nash County tells WRAL News he feels the county isn't giving frontline workers the support they've needed through the pandemic.