Bartow, Fla. (June 10, 2025) — The Polk County Fire Rescue team received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award for their commitment to saving lives. Organizations receive the award for administering excellent prehospital care to stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest patients. Organizations that have sustained excellent service and met the necessary criteria multiple years in a row, receive the Gold Award.
“Polk County Fire Rescue’s recognition with the American Heart Association’s Mission Lifeline EMS Gold award means a lot to the members of our organization,” said Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “The gold distinction proves our team delivers on their commitment of providing first-rate pre-hospital patient care to Polk County residents and visitors. This recognition would not have happened without the tireless support of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Polk County leadership, Dr. Banerjee and his Office of Medical Direction staff and most importantly our members who provide the award-winning care.”
In 2024, PCFR members worked 1,048 STEMI and 1,489 stroke alerts for a total of 2,537 calls…