The Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety – Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division has received the Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold achievement from the American Heart Association for the 10th consecutive year, recognizing excellence in rapid care delivery for heart attack and stroke victims.

The recognition highlights the importance of prompt emergency medical services in critical situations. EMS staff can initiate treatment upon arrival, potentially up to an hour earlier than if a patient were to travel to the hospital by car.

• Additionally, EMS personnel are trained in resuscitation efforts for cardiac arrest cases.

Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon praised the achievement, stating, “This achievement reaffirms the County’s commitment to delivering quality, timely care for stroke and heart attack patients. I am proud of our EMS professionals who continue to perform every day at the highest level, selflessly delivering care to those in need.”

Mission: Lifeline EMS® is a national initiative by the American Heart Association aimed at improving the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive conditions such as severe heart attacks and strokes.

• The program focuses on reducing barriers to prompt treatment from the moment 911 is called, through EMS transport, and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge.

The initiative emphasizes the importance of coordination between individual prehospital providers and healthcare systems in delivering optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients.

For more information about the Mission: Lifeline program, interested parties can visit heart.org.