County Fire and Rescue Services Awarded National Honor

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) will be presented the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award today (Nov. 14). County Executive Ike Leggett, Fire Chief Steve Lohr and Councilmember Phil Andrews will be on hand to receive the prestigious award from the MedicAlert Foundation and the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI). The award is designed to recognize best practices and highlight innovations in the delivery of emergency medical services. Andrew Wigglesworth, President and Chief Executive Officer of MedicAlert Foundation and Bill Webb, Executive Director of CFSI, will present the award.

With strong evidence nationally that pre-hospital care has a profound impact on survival, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) was one of the first in the state to implement and deploy paramedic-staffed engine companies. This deployment model results in faster access, improved pre-hospital care and enhanced patient care during an emergency.

The department’s Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) program is also being recognized. The ECC program took proactive steps that have significantly improved Advanced Life Support (ALS) treatment for patients with certain types of heart attacks. The implementation of the LifeNet system allows paramedics to transmit critical patient data directly and securely from remote locations to area hospitals using sophisticated technology and equipment. The technology accelerates the diagnosis process while reducing critical time that ultimately can make a difference in patient outcome and survival. The overall changes have enabled MCFRS and its partner hospitals so far surpass national averages in delivering life-saving cardiac care to patients.