Firelands EMS honored with gold-level honor from American Heart Association
New London-based Firelands EMS is being recognized with the American Heart Association's Mission Lifeline Gold Award, an achievement of distinction for the New London-based provider.
This national recognition highlights the department's commitment to providing rapid, research-based care for patients experiencing life-threatening heart attacks and strokes.
The award acknowledges prehospital providers who consistently meet or exceed national guidelines for treating ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and other time-sensitive cardiac and stroke emergencies.
"The program works to streamline care from the moment 911 is called through EMS response, hospital treatment and patient discharge, helping to eliminate delays and improve outcomes," Firelands EMS said in its news release announcement.
Firelands EMS responds to more than 800 calls annually and serves as the primary 911 emergency medical service provider for New London, New London Township, Fitchville Township (Huron County), and Ruggles and Troy Townships (Ashland County), covering more than 120 square miles.
The department has adopted an increasingly advanced approach to cardiac and stroke care, including incorporating new advanced training, modernizing equipment, increasing paramedic coverage and response, and implementing aggressive treatment protocols.
"Firelands EMS has seen tremendous growth in the past year as we have focused our efforts on improving both our crews’ capabilities and training, but also completing a major upgrade to our emergency response equipment that has come from the generosity of the many grants and various foundations who have invested in what we are doing to provide this excellent advanced life support to our community," Firelands EMS Chief Jeffrey Scott said in a statement.
Scott added, "This recognition just demonstrates the value of the many hours invested by our EMS crews who are committed to ensuring quality patient care delivery where it matters most."
He also stated, "Quality care, rapid access, and evidence-based treatment have allowed for greater positive patient outcomes, and that is a huge win for this community."
The announcement said that it "remains a great reminder of how important early recognition and early access of 911 can be for a loved one or friend."
Firelands EMS encourages everyone to learn the early warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, and to access 911 as soon as possible.
Effective July 1, 2024, Firelands EMS transitioned from an all-volunteer agency to a combination part-paid and volunteer agency due to substantial growth in call volume and use of EMS.
Scott stated this move "has proven critical not only to meet the increased call volume but also ensure rapid and timely response to these critical-level type calls."
With the new staffing model, while costly and demanding upon our very small agency budget, this change has allowed for much quicker access and response to the community, he said, noting an improved quality of life for those served.
"While money is very tight, and volunteerism (as EMS volunteers) is at all-time lows nationwide and even here too, we stretch every dollar we can to make sure the best care in life-threatening situations can be there for those who count on us most," Scott said.
Scott Stocals, Firelands EMS Board Member and Ruggles Township Trustee of Ashland County, stated, "This award reflects the dedication, expertise and compassion of our Firelands EMS team."
"We are so thankful for the dedication of our Firelands EMS crews, but also how their hard work has paid off to make such a huge life-changing impact on our community," he said.
The service has been dedicated to serving its townships since forming an EMS District in 1978. Firelands EMS operates 24 hours a day from its New London station.
AT A GLANCE
-- Firelands EMS is the primary Emergency Medical Service (911) provider for the village of New London, New London and Fitchville Townships (Huron County) & Ruggles and Troy Townships (Ashland County) and has been dedicated to serving these Townships since forming an EMS District in 1978.
-- While Firelands EMS was once an all-volunteer EMT-based provider, due to the dramatic increase in calls over the years and the ever-decreasing number of volunteers, on July 1, 2024, Firelands had to move to a combination agency staffing model that includes both dedicated volunteers and, now, paid part-time staff.
-- Over the past year, as well, Firelands EMS has increased its staffing model to include more consistent Paramedic and advanced life support services for the residents.
-- Firelands EMS operates 24 hours a day from its New London, Ohio, station, including its new Incident Support and Blocker unit.
Source: Firelands EMS