Rescue service revolution in the Ennepe-Ruhr district: more RTW and new guards!

Rescue service revolution in the Ennepe-Ruhr district: more RTW and new guards!

Witten, Deutschland - A revolutionary step in the emergency services of the Ennepe-Ruhr district! The new rescue service requirement plan provides for a dramatic increase in ambulances (RTW) from 13 to 22. From July 2025, this plan will come into force after the district council has already given the green light. The need for more ambulance is obvious: With the introduction of operational core areas, in which the first rescue center is to be on site within 8 minutes in 90% of cases, the efficiency of the emergency services is significantly increased.

new emergency service plan brings massive changes

The new core areas affect large parts of Witten and Hattingen as well as parts of Ennepetal, Gevelsberg, Wetter (Ruhr) and Schwelm. For the areas outside of these core areas, the auxiliary period of 12 minutes remains. In order to cope with the increased demand, the weekly deployment time of the RTW is increased by an impressive 1,308 hours from 2,184 to 3,492 hours. In addition, two new rescue guards are planned, while existing locations in Hattingen-Bredenscheid and Witten-Herbede have to be shifted.

The number of emergency doctors remains unchanged for the time being: Six emergency doctors are available at the locations Witten, Herdecke, Hattingen and Schwelm for a total of 861 hours a week. But that could change if the innovative telenotarz system is introduced. The patient transport times are also increased to 1,148 hours a week in order to meet the growing requirements. The details of the new locations and the providers of the ambulances will only be announced after the ongoing award procedure has been completed.