Elgin Fire Department Earns Recognition from American Heart Association

The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized the Elgin Fire Department with its Mission: Lifeline for providing high-quality cardiac and stroke care.

Acknowledging the department's commitment to improving outcomes for patients suffering severe heart attacks and strokes, the award highlights its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team's clinical excellence and rapid response.

The department has participated in the program since 2015 has integrated the program's standards into its emergency response practices.

"This recognition reflects the exceptional training and dedication of our first responders," said Elgin Fire Chief Robb Cagann "We are proud to serve our community with such a high standard of care."

The department runs a year-round EMS training program that combines classroom and hands-on instruction, helping paramedics stay up to date on the latest advances and maintain essential skills. A continuous quality improvement program reviews about 100 EMS calls each month to ensure best practices are followed, feedback is given and documentation is thorough.

The AHA evaluates key metrics, including:

Stroke Care:

• Stroke alerts issued
• "Last known well" time recorded
• Blood glucose documented
• Stroke screenings performed

Cardiac Care:

• 12-lead EKGs within 10 minutes of contact
• Aspirin administered promptly
• STEMI (heart attack) cases identified and hospitals alerted within 10 minutes
• Patients transported to the catheterization lab and treated within 90 minutes

For more on the Mission: Lifeline program, visit heart.org/missionlifeline.