For Immediate Release: August 18, 2020
The Alexandria Fire Department recently received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award for 
implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. This is the seventh consecutive year that AFD has received the award.
“The Alexandria Fire Department is dedicated to providing the best care when responding to medical emergencies in the City of Alexandria,” said EMS Deputy Chief Brian Hricik. “The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline programs play major roles in EMS personnel reaching that goal on every call. We are pleased and honored to be recognized by Mission: Lifeline for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care efforts.”
Every year, more than 250,000 people experience at ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.
The Mission: Lifeline initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines. Mission Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel. The Fire Department is very proud to be a part of the American Heart Association’s efforts to turn guidelines into lifelines.
For more information, contact Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans, at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5190.
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