Fire Department nationally recognized for commitment to quality care

The Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) has received the American Heart Association's (AHA) Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive - up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital.

Mission: Lifeline EMS is the AHA's national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks and strokes. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment, starting from when 911 is called to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge.

FWFD is also recognized on the AHA's Target: Heart Attack Honor Roll, focused on the system of care for patients. This award highlights the collaboration and contributions of both prehospital and hospital providers. To qualify for this recognition, agencies must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between the first EMS medical contact to hospital arrival and treatment with primary percutaneous coronary intervention or thrombolytic therapy.

Learn more about the Mission Lifeline EMS award.