You are in charge of devising an ambulance deployment plan for the EMS system within your community. Your goal is to minimize response times while simultaneously using all of the EMS resources in an efficient and cost effective manner. As such, which of the following information would be most valuable in formulating a plan?

Determining the time and location of calls over the past five years is critical, since analysis may reveal patterns to which the appropriate number of EMS resources can be matched. If an increase in the number of motor vehicle collisions is seen during morning rush hour, additional units can be deployed to strategic locations so that they can readily access future incidents. Socioeconomic status may be linked to call volume and time, but by itself is not the best criterion for location of resources. Location of previous ambulance collisions is important data, and should be used to minimize collisions, not locate ambulances. While the average age of the population provides a larger picture of the medical needs of the community, as a whole it is not the best factor in dictating the deployment of resources.