Every Minute Counts
Interactive Map of Elapsed Times in the District
St. Charles Countryside Fire Protection District - Average Response Time Map
Response Time vs. Elapsed Time
Throughout our web site and discussions about the time it takes for emergency personnel to reach your home, the District references two terms: "response time" and "elapsed time."
"Response Time" is a common term used by emergency medical and fire personnel that refers to the time an ambulance or fire engine takes to travel from the fire station driveway until it reaches the destination for the emergency call.
"Elapsed Time" refers to the time a call is placed until the time the personnel reaches the destination for the emergency. This includes the call made to 911, the transfers of the call that takes place to ultimately sound the alarm at the proper station, the time it takes for the firefighters to prepare to board the apparatus, as well as the drive to the scene of the call. This includes the response time noted above.
The map above references elapsed time, the link below is a map of response times.
Is your family and home safe?
Imagine a typical emergency situation: Average Elapsed Time
- 1: An accident occurs, a crisis begins (in minutes)
- 2: You call 911, connect to the Kane County Sheriff 00:00 minutes
- 3: Sheriff transfers your call to the TriCom Dispatch 00:15
- 4: TriCom gathers your information and sounds station alarm 01:15
- 5: St. Charles Fire Department personnel respond and depart 02:45
- 6: Travel in route to your home (between 4 to 10+ minutes) 09:45
- 7: Arrive at home, provide patient care 10:45
- 8: Total elapse time 11:00 minutes total time
Did you know?
A child or spouse in respiratory arrest due to a heart attack or allergic response suffers permanent brain damage after 5 minutes.
A small kitchen or living room fire can erupt into an uncontrolled house fire in 8-10 minutes.