Abstract
EMS is integral to healthcare delivery systems, providing critical medical attention during emergencies. Patient survival rates are heavily reliant upon response time. However, EMS operations in Gauteng face challenges in responding quickly and effectively to emergencies, especially with increasing populations. This study aimed to reduce ambulance response times in Gauteng by using linear programming to optimize dispatch strategies and resource utilization. We investigate methods to improve EMS response times in Gauteng Province through a combined qualitative and quantitative approach. Using provincial EMS secondary data detailing EMS dispatching processes, resource utilization, emergency locations, and ambulance locations, a Linear Programming (LP) based model was developed to minimise ambulance response time by optimising distances between random emergency sites and hospital dispatching sites. The model was tested against the baseline operating model. The LP model performed favourably against the baseline model. This research provides valuable insights into possible low-cost operational improvements within EMS systems, offering a data-driven approach to mitigate response time challenges and improve emergency healthcare delivery.