Raleigh’s Wake EMS will reduce the use of lights and sirens for certain 911 calls, reserving them for the most urgent situations where time is critical. The change is intended to increase safety for EMTs, patients, and the public, as studies show lights and sirens can sometimes lead to traffic accidents.
As per the City of Raleigh, Wake EMS is also updating its 911 call plan to ensure the most appropriate response—such as an ambulance, fire truck, or nurse call-line—is dispatched quickly. Director Dominick Nutter of the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center said staff will prioritize the right care for each call.
Wake County will hold public meetings to explain the changes, with the first scheduled for December 4. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the new protocols.
