New Paramedics Aim To Help Detroit Improve 911 Response Time

DETROIT (AP) - Response times to 911 calls in Detroit are expected to improve with the academy graduation of 31 new emergency medical technicians.

Mayoral spokesman John Roach says the new paramedics can start handling runs after Friday morning's graduation ceremony.

Sixty-six emergency medical technicians graduated last year from the academy.

The mayor's office says the increased hiring is part of the city's plan to cut EMS response time to the national average of eight minutes for high-priority runs.

A year ago the average response time was 20 minutes. The city says it's now down to about 11 minutes.

Detroit emerged from bankruptcy in December. About $430 million in savings and revenue is slated to improve police and fire services, and 911 response times. The city recently bought 15 new ambulances.