A new report has raised serious concerns about emergency response times in New Orleans, showing that people in life-threatening situations are often waiting far longer than expected for help to arrive.
EMS Response Times Falling Behind
According to a report by the Office of the Inspector General, the New Orleans EMS is not meeting national response standards in most cases.
The findings are worrying. In emergencies where every second matters, response teams are taking around 20 minutes on average to reach patients. Overall, the department fails to meet national timing standards about 71% of the time.
For critical situations, even a delay of a few minutes can make a huge difference.
Main Problem: Staff Shortage
The report clearly points to one major issue — not enough staff. While the city already has ambulances available, there are not enough trained workers to operate them.
Because of this, many ambulances remain unused, and emergency calls are delayed.
The OIG has recommended hiring more first responders and increasing salaries to attract and retain workers.
Financial Challenges for the City
Helena Moreno acknowledged the seriousness of the issue but also highlighted budget limitations. She explained that any major spending decisions must be carefully reviewed, especially with the city’s tight finances.
The state’s legislative auditor must approve additional expenses before the city can move forward with hiring or salary increases.
Private Companies Filling the Gap
Due to the shortage of staff, the city has been relying on private companies to handle some emergency calls. These companies respond using city ambulances but collect the service fees.
In 2025 alone, private providers earned nearly $9 million from these emergency responses.
If the city had enough staff, it could have handled those calls itself and kept that revenue.
Could Hiring More Staff Save Money?
Interestingly, the report suggests that hiring more EMS workers might not just improve response times but also help the city financially.
By responding to more calls directly, the city could collect service fees instead of outsourcing them. This could offset the cost of hiring additional staff.
The state auditor is now reviewing the numbers and is expected to decide within two months whether the city can afford to expand its EMS workforce.
Why This Issue Matters
Emergency services are one of the most critical parts of any city. Fast response times can mean the difference between life and death.
Delays not only put lives at risk but also reduce public trust in the system.
