New and fringe residential development and emergency medical services response times in the United States

Lambert, Thomas and Meyer, Peter (2008): New and fringe residential development and emergency medical services response times in the United States. Published in: STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW , Vol. 40, No. Issue 2 : pp. 115-124.

Abstract

Much has been written over the years about longer emergency medical services (EMS) response times in rural areas as opposed to urban areas. Yet within urban areas, outside of case studies of certain cities, not much has been written about longer EMS response times in newer, fringe suburban or ex-urban areas. Examining first the largest county within each metro area and next the municipalities and unincorporated areas of all of the counties of metropolitan areas, the findings of this exploratory research note show that the density and age of different residential areas or jurisdictions explain some of the variation in average EMS response times between urban and suburban or ex-urban locations. Holding other things constant, those who live in more sparsely settled and newer developments tend to have longer waiting times for EMS. The implications for regional growth management are discussed.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: urban sprawl; emergency services; delay
• Subjects: P - Economic Systems > P2 - Socialist Systems and Transitional Economies > P25 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics

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