If you need a fire or rescue crew in Gwinnett County, you might wait longer than you used to.
Last year, Gwinnett fire crews reached emergency calls within six-and-a-half minutes after dispatch more than 84% of the time: a solid grade of B. This year, that figure is down to 71%: a C-minus.
Fire Chief Bill Myers says that’s because call volume is up and so is the time it takes to complete calls. “We’re transporting 7% more patients this year through the first six months than we did last year through the entire year,” said Myers. “And that growth usually is 5% annually, so we’re taking a lot more people to the hospital.”
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