The City of Norfolk Fire Division received the 2024 Mission Lifeline Silver Award for EMS from the American Heart Association. The Mission: Lifeline EMS Recognition Program is designed to showcase prehospital agencies nationwide for excellence in heart attack and stroke care.
Prehospital personnel are the first care providers to patients suffering from acute emergencies. Their role in the care system for these patients is crucial and often sets the course for the patient’s outcome.
“AHA Mission: Lifeline evaluates our EMS on how we care for every stroke and heart attack patient each year. Early recognition, prompt procedures, administering specific medications, and alerting the receiving hospital are the areas evaluated. In 2023, we surpassed the standards and were awarded the Silver Award. To achieve a Gold Award, we must have two consecutive years of achieving Silver or better,” said Lieutenant Brock Soderberg.
“Being the first year that we applied, we received the highest award possible. This was a team effort, from the community and elected officials continually supporting our mission, our Medical Director (Dr. George T. Surber) reviewing all patient care reports for quality assurance, to our paramedics and EMTs providing high-quality care around the clock,” Soderberg added.
The Mission: Lifeline EMS Recognition Program was launched in 2014 and continues to celebrate the achievements of prehospital providers and their collaboration with each other and hospitals, specifically in patient care.
“I am extremely proud of our team for achieving this recognition. Emergency medicine is ever-changing, and to keep up with these advancements in treatment, it takes a willingness from staff to spend countless hours training to try to master their craft. Our team does just that, and our shift lieutenants along with medical direction lead the way,” said Fire Chief Tim Wragge.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke or heart attack. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.
“This recognition is one more testament to the excellent work of the Norfolk Fire Division. This is a team that is expertly trained, takes their jobs very seriously, and helps save lives in the most challenging environments. We’re proud of their efforts and fortunate to have them serving our community,” said Mayor Josh Moenning.