Volunteer first responders fill gaps as ambulances fall short of emergency targets in southern Denmark

Ambulances in southern Denmark’s Jelling area reached patients within the critical 15-minute window just over half the time in early 2026—far below the regional target of 95 percent—prompting trained volunteers to step in as first responders while patients wait, DR reports.

Dennis Brandt Leth, a co-founder of Jelling’s volunteer emergency response corps, has answered over 200 calls since the group launched in 2021. Equipped with oxygen, defibrillators, and basic medication, volunteers like Leth and Thomas Sohn receive real-time alerts from dispatch when an ambulance is en route with lights and sirens. Their phones sound an alarm, displaying the address and emergency details via an app.

“There have been times when I’ve wondered why it took so long for the ambulance to arrive,” Leth said.

Data from Region Syddanmark shows the 15-minute response target has not been met in any quarter since 2024. In the first three months of 2026, only 51.6 percent of emergency ambulances arrived within the goal time. Kim Ahlers, duty manager for Præhospital Syd, cited severe winter conditions—icy and snow-covered roads—as a key factor in the delays.

“When it’s winter, safe driving is non-negotiable,” Ahlers said. “We have to prioritize getting to the patient—and everyone else on the road—without additional risks.”

To address persistent delays, the regional council has approved a new ambulance station in Bredsten, west of Vejle, set to open January 1, 2027. “This will cut response times and provide the reliability people expect from emergency services,” said Gitte Frederiksen, a Venstre member of the regional council.

Jelling’s volunteer responders, who deploy roughly four times a week on average, bridge the gap until ambulances arrive. Their training in first aid and access to life-saving equipment offer critical support in a system struggling to meet demand.