County Receives American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Gold Status
For the sixth consecutive year, Leon County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) has received the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award for its continued commitment to exceptional, lifesaving care and treatment of patients experiencing the most severe form of heart attack.
This prestigious award recognizes LCEMS training and treatment protocols that help rapidly identify and treat patients experiencing ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Each year, more than 250,000 Americans suffer from STEMI, the deadliest type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart and requiring timely treatment to survive. New this year from the American Heart Association, LCEMS received the Target: Heart Attack Honor Roll designation, a time-critical award level given to those agencies that provide patient transport to STEMI-receiving and STEMI-referring centers.
“We are immensely proud of the men and women of Leon County EMS who continue to set the standard for first responders everywhere,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Nick Maddox. “This award recognizes their commitment to the profession and dedication to the health and well-being of the entire community.”
In line with best practices, Leon County paramedics are equipped and trained to identify STEMI in the field and then promptly notify the receiving facility to trigger an early response. By helping facilities prepare in advance of a transport, Leon County paramedics help increase survival rates of patients.
“For nearly 20 years, our Leon County EMS team has remained committed to exceeding national standards to ensure the best possible outcomes for local patients,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “This award is a testament to the dedication and expertise of Leon County’s paramedics and our entire EMS team.”
In addition to the 2023 Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award, Leon County EMS was recognized with a Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus Award in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, and the Mission: Lifeline Silver Award in 2017 and 2015.
“Leon County EMS is honored to once again receive national recognition from the American Heart Association for providing critical, lifesaving care to the residents and visitors of Leon County,” said Leon County EMS Chief Chad Abrams. “I am proud of our team’s continued commitment to excellence in the field.”
For more information, contact Major Sally Davis, Leon County Emergency Medical Services, at (850) 606-2100 / DavisSal@LeonCountyFL.gov or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association (AHA) is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. The AHA teams with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.
About Mission: Lifeline
Launched in 2014, the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for acute coronary syndrome patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology clinical treatment guidelines. For more information, visit Heart.org.
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