SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Chris Mueller, Executive Director for Sangamon County 911, said many people misunderstand what exactly happens when you call 911. As calls come in, dispatchers ask questions, get important information, and send the appropriate first responders, whether that is a fire truck, police officer, or an ambulance.
But sometimes that help isn't available.Â
"We try not to verbalize to somebody that no one is coming," said Mueller. "We don't say no to people, because we will send help, it's just that you might have to wait."Â
In 2023, Sangamon County 911 handled 1,257 calls where no ambulances were available. Between January and March of this year, they've not had ambulances for 176 calls. Mueller says dispatch's primary role is to appropriate resources, so they can't control how many first responders are available. When someone needs help and ambulances aren't available, they sent the fire department.Â
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Mueller said in 2021, ambulance providers, first responders, dispatchers, and other individuals got together to discuss improvements to communication between departments and how to best serve the community. When there is only one ambulance left in the county, Sangamon County 911 will send out an alert to ambulances.Â
"When we're down to one ALS ambulance unit we put out a notice saying 'We're down to one,' said Mueller. "It's kind of a plea or a hope to say this is our last resource so hopefully someone can help augment the 9-1-1 system."Â
Based on city policy, there should be at least six ambulances in service at all times, as ambulance servicers must run a minimum of two at a time.Â
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