For the amount of call volume per day EMS is always running below needs. Although they say they are running a full complement it does not keep up with volume. There are other variables causing delays also. "Turnaround" times at E.R.'s can be lengthy due to crowding, being triaged, shortage of E.R. stretchers, etc. Then what happens is a job comes in that delayed unit's area and a bus from afar is given the job. That takes time to get to the scene. Then suppose while enroute that bus gets "flagged" down for a patient. More time. The bus that was delayed at the E.R. becomes available but there is a higher priority holding so off they go into another area. My last 4 years I worked in Staten Island in the Rossville/Tottenville area. Here's an example: The north side of the Island is getting hammered with calls so they start sending units from the south up north. These units take patients to S.I.U.H North Site or Richmond University Hosp. While on those jobs, a call comes in for Tottenville and a north unit who just becomes available gets assigned. You don't make it from Stapleton to Tottenville quickly! This goes on in all boroughs, units criss-crossing each other, more jobs pending, units being flagged, etc. It just becomes one vicious circle.
