When a patient is suffering from a heart attack, every second is critical.

That’s why it is assuring to us to know that those in the county who may have to call an ambulance will be in the best possible hands.

For the second year in a row, Lawrence County EMS received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

The award makes the agency one of only eight in Ohio and 163 in the nation to receive the Gold Plus Honor. This puts it in the top less than one percent of EMS agencies in the U.S.

In addition to proper training, time is of the essence when a blood vessel is blocked.

To prevent death, it is critical for EMS workers to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

This can be done either through mechanically opening the blocked vessel or through blood clot medication.

The award recognizes EMS for their efforts in improving care systems to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients and to promptly notify a medical center and begin an early response for when the patient arrives.

Our local EMS is a true blessing to our county.

We commend our EMS workers and management for this well-deserved award.