The Richardson Fire Department recently received the Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award from the American Heart/American Stroke Associations for the fifth straight year, with the last four being Gold Plus.
The award recognizes the department for its success in treating and transporting patients who suffer a type of severe heart attack known as a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), which is caused by the complete blockage of blood flow to the heart.
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience a STEMI that require restoration of blood flow as quickly as possible in order to prevent death.
To reach gold recognition, first responders are required to get STEMI victims from first contact into catheterization surgery in less than 90 minutes at least 75 percent of the time. Richardson emergency medical personnel far exceed that standard by working with Methodist Richardson Medical Center and other area hospitals.
Website: www.Heart.org/MissionLifeline
