Sarasota County Fire Department recognized for heart attack, stroke care by American Heart Association
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
SARASOTA COUNTY – The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) again earned national recognition from the American Heart Association, receiving the 2025 Mission: Lifeline® EMS – Gold with Target: Heart Attack Honor Role and the new Target: Stroke Honor Roll. This achievement highlights SCFD’s commitment to providing rapid, research-based care to people experiencing acute chest pain, heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.
The Mission: Lifeline EMS award focuses on agencies’ on-scene care, emphasizing the collaboration and contributions of prehospital providers to overall patient outcomes. SCFD has received the American Heart Association’s highest recognition each year since 2016.
In 2024, 4% of SCFD Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responses were related to cardiac or stroke incidents. Each day, SCFD transports more than 100 patients to area hospitals.
“It is through the incredible work of our Sarasota County Fire Department personnel and the collaboration from local hospitals that we have achieved this recognition,” said Sarasota County Fire Chief David Rathbun. “Sarasota County Fire Department is dedicated to providing the best possible care to all patients and we are grateful to our partners in care and honored to be recognized once again for these efforts.”
According to the American Heart Association, the Mission: Lifeline EMS program honors prehospital agencies nationwide for excellence in heart attack and stroke care.
“This recognition from the American Heart Association exemplifies the first-rate care Sarasota County Fire Department provides to the community,” said Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins. “Our personnel train every day to serve the residents and visitors of Sarasota County and this award is evidence of that hard work.”
For more information, visit scgov.net/fire or dial 311.
