Wake county EMS Coverage

A closer look at why and how Wake emergency alerts are sent

Darshan Patel, a Wake County Emergency Management official, explains the decision behind sending an alert during a search for a suspect on Wednesday night.

First responders are preparing for increase in heat emergency calls

Monday is expected to be another hot day with heat advisories in place for much of central North Carolina. EMS crews in Raleigh and Durham are preparing for an uptick in emergency calls related to the heat.

Wake County first responders to get ballistic gear

Wake County leaders are budgeting nearly $1 million for new gear to protect first responders.

Wake County EMS to receive 475 bulletproof helmets and vests

Wake County leaders are budgeting nearly $1 million for new gear to protect first responders.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL 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

Paramedics' radio traffic reveals danger and uncertainty during mass shooting in Raleigh

After hearing what emergency responders experienced as they tried to help victims of a mass shooting in Raleigh, paramedics' radio traffic can offer a different perspective on the tragedy.

WRAL News

Wake Co. woman said she called 911 four times after partner suffered stroke, ambulance never arrived

Wake EMS says it is routinely understaffed, forcing them to reserve ambulances for higher priority calls. That was the case last Wednesday, Aug. 31, when one woman says her request for an ambulance was denied while she was having a stroke.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

'I will never call 911 again': Wake EMS responds to staffing shortages

Wake EMS says it is routinely under-staffed, forcing them to reserve ambulances for higher priority calls.

Wake County EMS assists man in Cary during Friday's storm, downed trees on car

On Friday, first responders with Wake County Emergency Medical Services helped a man in Cary to safety after storms and downed trees.

Raleigh couple says Wake County ambulance subscription program failed them

A Wake County program promises affordable ambulance service to residents, but one Raleigh family believes it's not all it's advertised to be. The family contacted 5 On Your Side after using the service and receiving a huge bill.

Keely Arthur, WRAL 5 On Your Side reporter

Wake EMS workers to receive pay raise

Wake EMS workers will soon become the highest paid in the state. Hundreds of staffers will see a raise in their paychecks as soon as April.

Pay raises coming for Wake County EMS workers

Wake EMS workers will soon become the highest paid in the state. Hundreds of staffers will see a raise in their paychecks as early as 11 days from Monday.

Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter

Crowded Triangle emergency rooms mean it may take longer for ambulances to arrive

EMS departments across the Triangle say they're being slowed down by crowded hospitals as 911 calls hit record levels due to the pandemic.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter

Wake EMS staffing shortage hits during busiest month of all time

In Wake County, a shortage of drivers means ambulances aren't always available right away.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

'True emergencies' will get ambulance even during shortage in Wake County

In Wake County, a shortage of drivers means ambulances aren't always available right away.

Two more charged in shooting at Raleigh park that wounded paramedic

Two more men have been arrested in connection with a shooting at a Raleigh park in June that wounded a Wake County paramedic, police said Friday.

Only on WRAL: Belt protects Wake paramedic from bullet wound

The call that came into Wake County EMS on June 19 was routine - a boy was hurt after falling from a swing set - but what happened to the paramedics who answered the call that evening was anything but ordinary.

'There was a higher power looking out for me': Wake paramedic recounts getting shot during EMS call

The call that came into Wake County EMS on June 19 was routine - a boy was hurt after falling from a swing set - but what happened to the paramedics who answered the call that evening was anything but ordinary.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

Wake woman suffers reaction to COVID vaccine, gets second jolt from surprise hospital bill

A Wake Forest woman who suffered an adverse reaction to a coronavirus vaccination was on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical expenses - until WRAL News started asking questions about her bills.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Federal program provides compensation to people injured by COVID vaccine

A Wake Forest woman who suffered an adverse reaction to a coronavirus vaccination was on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical expenses - until WRAL News started asking questions about her bills.

Wake EMS has no plans to let paramedics carry guns

Lawmakers are considering a bill to allow paramedics to carry guns when they are working with law enforcement on a tactical operation like a standoff.

Some call Wake EMS merger heavy-handed

Wake County claims that absorbing Cary Area EMS and Eastern Wake EMS will save taxpayers money as well as add efficiency to the administrative process. Others in the EMS community don't see it that way.

Cary sees loss of community connection in merger of Wake EMS services

Wake County claims that absorbing Cary Area EMS and Eastern Wake EMS will save taxpayers money as well as add efficiency to the administrative process. Others in the EMS community don't see it that way.

Richard Adkins, WRAL photojournalist

Wake County EMS consolidating ambulance services

Beginning May 4, Wake County EMS will operate under a single, unified agency.

Sydney Franklin, WRAL multiplatform producer