On the ambulance delay time. Have people perchance started calling ambulances for less and less serious matters over time? Thus increasing the calls per capita. I could kind of see that given what I’ve heard about 911, but then again maybe not. Also I feel like 50 years ago people would have been more worried about having some enforcement action taken against them for wasting the 911 line’s time on something inappropriate? Not sure if that enforcement ever actually happened, though.

Yes, but cities design for that. Urban paid departments have a 7 minute response time or less.

My mom lived in the country, and the sheriff there started a paramedic service and trained deputies as EMTs. It made a huge difference as the paramedics arrive first in most cases.