Firelands EMS receives award

NEW LONDON — Firelands EMS has been recognized by the American Heart Association for their work with stroke and heart attack victims. The agency was awarded the "2025 Mission: Lifeline EMS GoldAward with Target: Stroke & Heart Attack achievement distinction," according to a news release. The Lifeline EMS program honors prehospital providers that consistently meet or exceed nationally accepted guidelines for patients suffering from ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and other time-sensitive cardiac and stroke emergencies, according to a news release. Each year, Firelands EMS responds to over 800 calls per year, and is the primary 911 Emergency Medical Service with a service area of over 120 square miles. The department has adopted an advanced approach to cardiac and stroke care, according to the release. Some of the improvements the department has made in its approach to care include: advanced training, modernization of specific equipment and cardiac care equipment, increased paramedic coverage and response. The release also states the department has implemented aggressive treatment protocols in treatment. "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," Firelands EMS Chief Jeffrey Scott said. Scott also extended his gratitude to those agencies who have processed grants and donations to the department. "(The upgrades have) come from the generosity of the many grants and various foundations who have invested in what we are doing to provide this excellent advance life support to our community," he said. "This award reflects the dedication, expertise and compassion of our Firelands EMS team and 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," Firelands EMS board member and Ruggles Township trustee Scott Stocals said. "We are lucky to have such caring and dedicated staff at the helm of our local EMS, making a difference each day for us."