NEW LONDON — The American Heart Association (AHA) has awarded Firelands EMS in New London, Ohio, with the 2025 Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award with Target: Stroke & Heart Attack achievement distinction.
This national recognition demonstrates the department’s ongoing commitment to providing timely, research-based care to patients suffering from life-threatening heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
The Mission: Lifeline EMS program recognises prehospital providers who consistently meet or exceed nationally accepted, evidence-based treatment guidelines for patients suffering from ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and other time-sensitive cardiac and stroke emergencies.
The program aims to streamline care from the moment 911 is called, through EMS response, hospital treatment, and patient discharge, thereby reducing delays and improving outcomes.
Firelands EMS responds to over 800 calls per year and is the primary 911 Emergency Medical Service provider for New London, New London Township, and Fitchville Township (Huron County), as well as Ruggles and Troy Townships (Ashland County), with a service area of more than 120 square miles.
Over a short period of time, the department has adopted an increasingly advanced approach to cardiac and stroke care, as evidenced by the implementation of new advanced training, the modernisation of specific equipment and cardiac care equipment, increased paramedic coverage and response, and aggressive treatment protocols.
Firelands EMS has demonstrated consistent service and delivery in the key areas recognised by this award, using evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes for the residents served by Firelands EMS on a daily basis.
Firelands EMS Chief Jeffrey Scott says, “Firelands EMS has seen tremendous growth in the past year as we have focused our efforts on improving both our crews’ capabilities and training, as well as completing a major upgrade to our emergency response equipment thanks to the generosity of many grants and various foundations who have invested in what we are doing to provide this excellent advance life support to our community.
“This recognition simply demonstrates the value of the many hours invested by our EMS crews, who are dedicated to providing quality patient care where it counts the most.
“Quality care, rapid access and evidence-based treatment have allowed for greater positive patient outcomes and that is a huge win for this community.”
It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early recognition and access to 911 for a loved one or friend. Firelands EMS encourages everyone to learn the early warning signs of a heart attack or stroke and call 911 as soon as possible.
According to Chief Scott, “As of July 1, 2024, Firelands had to transition from a solely volunteer agency to a combination part-paid and volunteer agency due to significant growth in our call volume and use of our EMS.”
“This move has proven critical not only to meet the increased call volume, but also to ensure a rapid and timely response to these critical level calls, ensuring that our community is served to the best of our ability.
“The new staffing model, while costly and demanding on our very small agency budget, has allowed for much faster access and response to our community while also assisting us in achieving this distinction and improving the quality of life for those we care for in these life-threatening situations.
“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 Stocals, a Firelands EMS Board Member and Ruggles Township Trustee (Ashland County), says, “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, as well as how their hard work has paid off to make such a huge life-changing impact on our community.
“We are lucky to have such caring and dedicated staff at the helm of our local EMS, making a difference each day for us.”
