The Ventura Fire Department has been honored with a national award from the American Heart Association recognizing their commitment to providing fast, research-based care for heart attacks and strokes, which has been instrumental in saving lives.
In 2023, Ventura firefighter-paramedics, working alongside American Medical Response (AMR), checked the blood sugar on over 96% of patients suspected of having a stroke and provided early notification to the hospital 100% of the time to ensure care teams were prepared to receive the patient.
On average, 85 Ventura firefighter-paramedics respond to 13,000 number of emergency medical calls per year, or about 35 each day.
“Emergency medical workers are critical in helping people survive strokes and cardiovascular emergencies,” said Heather Ellis, who oversees emergency medical services for the Ventura Fire Department. “Spotting the problem early, keeping the patient stable and acting quickly within our care system give patients the best chance for effective treatments and a better quality of life.”
Additionally, 92% of the time, patients treated by Ventura firefighter-paramedics during serious cardiac incidents received catheterization lab intervention within 90 minutes.
Ventura firefighter-paramedics start treatment as soon as they arrive, up to an hour sooner than if someone drove to the hospital themselves. They are trained in resuscitation for heart stoppage, and patients arriving by ambulance often receive quicker hospital treatment.
Mission: Lifeline EMS® is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to improve care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive conditions like severe heart attacks and strokes. The program ensures fast treatment from the moment 911 is called, through EMS transport and until hospital discharge. Optimal care requires coordination between prehospital providers and healthcare systems.
For more information about the Ventura Fire Department, visit VenturaCityFire.com.
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