When you call 911. paramedics try their best to respond quickly, including those from Advanced Life Systems (ALS), one of two ambulance companies contracted by the city.
The other being American Medical Response.
15 EMS crews are stationed across the Yakima valley.
A Yakima city ordinance requires all of those ambulances to have paramedics on board.
"That really dictates care throughout the city," says Brian Ireton, the Operations Manager for ALS.
"We're sending those paramedics on potentially sleeping homeless people. We're sending them on non injury lift assist. We're sending them on welfare checks," says one ALS paramedic.
They also say they're being forced to respond to these calls with lights and sirens, which increases the risk of crashing.