Emergency Response Time

Average Emergency Response Time

Average Emergency Response Time as of June 2023 was 3 minutes, 16 seconds.

How Is Emergency Response Time Calculated?

Emergency response time is calculated from the time of the initial call received by a police department call-taker (dispatch) to the time of the first unit’s (police officer) arrival to the location.

The time of call entry is noted when the call taker (dispatch) confirms the caller’s address in our system as she/he is speaking with the caller.

Please note that there are variables that affect how long it takes to determine a location. If the caller does not know their exact address, the call-taker must work to determine the location or if the caller is under distress and unable to relay information sufficiently, the call-taker must attempt to decipher details quickly and efficiently.

The time of arrival is marked when the responding officer verbally broadcasts over the radio that she/he is on scene or will mark their arrival by using a push-button notification on their mobile data terminal in their police unit.

Do Different Types of Emergencies Warrant a Different Response Time?

All emergency calls are handled with a very similar protocol. All 911 calls are received by the police department’s communications (dispatch) team. Varying scenarios include:

• Police Calls – Police dispatch will mobilize police units to respond to the call.
• Fire/Medical Aid Calls – If a 911 fire or medical aid call comes in, police dispatch will assess the type of call and will connect with fire dispatch (Metro Net Fire Dispatch is the emergency communications center that dispatches fire/medical services throughout Brea. They are located in Anaheim). Police units are typically sent out to ensure the area is secure.