LAWRENCEVILLE — The men and women of Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services are being recognized for what they do best — saving lives.
The department has received national honors from the American Heart Association for its dedication to helping heart attack and stroke patients get the right care as quickly as possible. Gwinnett earned the Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Achievement Award, the Lifeline System of Care Target Heart Attack Award, and the Stroke℠ Honor Roll Award for 2024.
These awards celebrate the teamwork between first responders, hospital staff, and medical directors who make sure patients receive lifesaving treatment when every second counts. Gwinnett is one of only four agencies in Georgia to achieve Mission: Lifeline recognition this year.
“Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for stroke and heart attack patients,” said Fire Chief Fred Cephas. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival. It also takes a strong commitment from our leadership, medical directors, and frontline providers to ensure the department is held to a high standard when providing care to stroke and heart attack patients.”
The American Heart Association praised the department’s role in improving outcomes for patients in medical emergencies. “Arguably the most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals,” said Dr. Kacey Kronenfeld, chair of the organization’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.”
From the 911 call to hospital handoff, Gwinnett’s first responders continue to demonstrate that their mission is more than just a job — it’s a promise to provide their community with the best possible care when it matters most.
