South Walton Fire District receives national award

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The South Walton Fire District received a national achievement award for their EMS responses.

According to a press release from the SWFD, the American Heart Association awarded the SWFD the Lifeline EMS Silver achievement award citing, “proven dedication and response to patients experiencing these severe, time-sensitive events.”

“Patients experiencing a stroke or cardiac emergency are suffering from what can be a terrifying and life-threatening incident,” said SWFD Fire Chief Ryan Crawford, according to the press release. “We want our residents and visitors to know when they call 911 because of one of these difficult situations, our men and women will do everything in their power to provide you with a prompt, competent, and caring response.”

SWFD has Advanced Life Support (ALS) personnel who serve in recognizing and treating the beginnings of heart attacks or stroke symptoms. SWFD provide lifesaving care before an individual reaches the hospital with the goal to prevent serious injury or loss of life.

In 2023, SWFD personnel responded to over 100 severe time-sensitive incidents.

The EMS personnel evaluate patients and their medical history, administer the appropriate medications, and responding emergently to the nearest hospital.

Personnel are also responsible for resuscitating patients in cardiac arrest.

“The national recognition is great, but ultimately we know this is the level of service our taxpayers deserve, and it’s what we strive to accomplish each day,” Crawford said, according to the press release. “We want to recognize not just our personnel who respond on the frontlines, but the collaboration and teamwork of our EMS Division, Medical Director, and our area healthcare partners. It truly takes a community-wide effort to create a pattern of successful, prehospital care.”