Flagler County Fire Rescue has distinguished itself when it comes to treating heart attack patients and has been awarded the American Heart Association “Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver” for 2023.
“Your agency is a part of an elite group of pre-hospital providers recognized by the American Heart Association for your commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care, by ensuring that every STEMI patient receives treatment according to nationally accepted evidence-based guideline recommendations and standards,” the American Heart Association said in an email to Lt. Jon Moscowitz.
A heart attack with a completely blocked coronary artery is called a STEMI. The acronym stands for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
“With heart tracing there is a particular area that is called the ST segment. When this segment is elevated, the person is said to have a STEMI,” said Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker. “This indicates the flow of oxygen-rich blood is being cut off to a section of the heart.”
Fire Rescue paramedics can begin patient treatment upon arrival, which is invaluable and potentially lifesaving time.
“Patients can receive medical care up to an hour sooner that someone who is driven to the hospital by a friend or relative,” Moscowitz said. “Paramedics are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. Patients who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital, because of earlier notification to Emergency Room staff of suspected heart attack or stroke.”
Mission: Lifeline EMS is the American Heart Association’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 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport, and continuing through hospital treatment to discharge.
The Mission: Lifeline EMS achievement award focuses on agencies’ on-scene care, bringing to the forefront the collaboration and contributions to patient care for prehospital providers.
“Flagler County Fire Rescue is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients, and our crews’ dedication to excellence deserves this recognition,” Tucker said. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Lets do whatever we can to make sure Chief Tucker gets the $400,000 more that he needs to have our new helicopter in service 24/7. Here we have the greatest fire rescue staff in the state but we won’t let them give us 24/7 service. We are taking a loan for their new helicopter to replace the25 year old we have now – we will e paying several million plus interest which of course is to be expected. What sense does it make to pay for a plane that is going to e locked in a closet 12 hours a day – our financial debt is based on 24/7 – our fire service on 24/7 –
\These guys are SIMPLY THE BEST and deserve simply the est and so do we citizens. Congratulations to these great guys and gals swho saved my life 3 years ago. You are the BEST and there is no excuse to not give Chief Tucker the extra $400,000 he needs to keep our great fire flight 24/7. We need to care more about trauma victims than traffic speeders.
Total insanity t keep giving the Sheriff all the money he wants for oats, command posts while putting those in need at risk Fire Rescue is Numer 1 in my book – far more important than fancy gyms and boats