American Heart Association awards Beach Fire Department
The American Heart Association’s Mission Lifeline Emergency Medical Service recognition program has recognized the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department for the second year in a row.
In addition to being awarded the American Heart Association’s award for its STEMI care and systems, the department qualified for a Gold level award and received a Plus designation for stroke patient care. The FMBFD is one of only 42 Florida agencies to ever be given this award.
“We are excited that our efforts in patient care excellence have been recognized by the American Heart Association,” The FMBFD said in a press release. “We would like to thank all of the dedicated Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics who make a difference in our community every day.”
This program recognizes EMS agencies for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients. This involves promptly notifying a medical center, thus triggering an early response from awaiting hospital personnel.
According to the FMBFD, every year, more than 250,000 people experience an “ST elevation myocardial infarction” otherwise known as a “STEMI” which is the deadliest type of heart attack. To prevent death, blood flow must be restored as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.
“This award is in recognition not only for the talent and training of our staff, but it also represents the wonderful collaborative working relationship that we have with our partners at Lee Health as well as with the community,” said Ron Martin, the executive assistant fire chief of life safety and support services. “We push everything from community CPR, to aggressive pre-hospital medical care, protocols and requirements, and of course, working collaboratively with Lee Health. So when someone is having a stroke or a heart attack, not only are they appropriately screened and triaged, but they are getting definitive care early and quickly.”
“This is a wonderful award for the community to represent the quality of our service, and it’s really an award recognizing our partners, as well,” added Martin.