FDL Fire And Rescue Recognized For Saving Heart Attack Victims

Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Wednesday morning was presented with the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Gold award. The award is given out for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. The award was presented at St. Agnes Hospital. Agnesian HealthCare President and CEO Steve Little says Fire Chief Peter O’Leary, the fire department and EMS, City of Fond du Lac, Agnesian, and the providers in the community continue to work towards the best interest of the well being of the community. Chief O’Leary says saving lives is a collaborative effort and when they are dealing with a patient having a life-threatening heart attack they follow certain protocols established by Dr. Nathan Larsen, St. Agnes Emergency Department and EMS Director, and his staff. Dr. Larsen says in a cardiac situation, time is critical to prevent heart muscle damage. Through the partnership between Agnesian and Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue the average response time from EMS first medical contact on scene to intervention in a cath lab is 48 minutes, well below the national standard of 60 minutes. 

Left to right: Fond du Lac City Council President Karyn Merkel, Lynn Mallas-Sendynski American Heart Association Director of Quality and System Improvement, Dr. Nathan Larson St. Agnes Emergency Department and EMS Director, Fire Chief Peter O’Leary, and standing Agnesian HealthCare President and CEO Steve Little.