Press Release- Fire Dept recognized for quality care for heart attacks and strokesKalispell Fire Department nationally recognized for its commitment to
quality care for heart attacks and strokes
The American H eart Association presents the Mission: VEMS silver achievement
award for proven dedication to ensuring access to best practices and life-saving care.
The City of Kalispell Fire Department has received the American Heart Association's M i s si oD.;
silver achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research -based care
to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.
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 mtthe hospital.
Mission: Lifeline Ek45wisthe American Heart Association's national initiative to advance the system
nfcare for patients with hiuh-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.
"Arguably the most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular
emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals," said Kacey Kronenfeld,
M.D., FAEMS, chair of the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline EMS Taskforce. "Early
condition identification, stabilization and prehospital interventions, and initiation of actions within the
regional systems of care provide patients with the best chance for receiving expedient definitive
therapies leading to optimal outcomes and maximized quality of life. The American Heart Association
Mission: Lifeline EMS awards are an important way to recognize the crucial roles and performances
of EMS personnel in stroke and cardiac patients' care."
"Kalispell Fire Department is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our
dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients," said Fire Chief Jay Hagen. "The
Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis so patients
have the best possible chance of survival."
For more information contact Kalispell Fire Department Chief Jay Hagen mt or
406-758-7761.
Mission: Lifeline EMSO recognition is the American Heart Association's program that recognizes
prehospital emergency agencies for their quality of care for heart attack and stroke patients. The
care components into a seamlessly integrated care system. Key tenets of these systems of care
reinforce evidence -based guidelines and measure performance, identify gaps, and engage in quality
For more information, visi