Wausau Fire receives achievement award

WAUSAU – The City of Wausau Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold 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, the department announced this week.

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.

“The City of Wausau Fire Department is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said EMS Division Chief Jared Thompson. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”