Okaloosa County EMS achieves Gold Status Recognition for 10th Consecutive Year

Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety - Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division recently received the Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold achievement by the America Heart Association for excellence in delivering rapid care for heart attack and stroke victims. This is the 10th consecutive year Okaloosa County has achieved Gold status.

“This achievement reaffirms the County’s commitment to delivering quality, timely care for stroke and heart attack patients,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “I am proud of our EMS professionals who continue to perform every day at the highest level, selflessly delivering care to those in need. We are honored to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association for the dedication of these individuals.”

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital.

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 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients takes coordination between the individual prehospital providers and healthcare systems.