Ridgefield Fire Department Earns National Lifeline EMS Gold Award For 3rd Consecutive Year

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award for the third consecutive year, recognizing its continued excellence in the emergency treatment of cardiac arrest, heart attack and stroke patients.

The national honor highlights the department’s adherence to evidence-based treatment protocols from the time of a 911 call through hospital transfer. Ridgefield Fire responds to about 4,200 calls annually, with roughly 80% involving emergency medical services.

“Our success reflects not just training, but a culture of clinical excellence,” Fire Chief Rommie L. Duckworth said. “Every firefighter-paramedic and firefighter-EMT here understands that seconds count and trains continuously to be ready to respond when these emergencies happen.”

Department personnel are trained in advanced cardiac life support, high-performance CPR, stroke assessment tools and the rapid use of interventions such as 12-lead electrocardiograms and critical medications. Ongoing quality assurance and simulation-based training bolster these efforts.

Assistant Chief Tony Cerulli noted the collective effort behind the recognition. “This award is a testament to the professionalism and coordination of everyone involved—from dispatchers and field providers to our hospital partners. Ridgefield is fortunate to have a department that doesn’t accept ‘good enough’ when it comes to saving lives,” he said.

EMS Coordinator Michal Trenck, who oversees clinical performance and training, said the department strives to exceed minimum care standards. “From paramedic onboarding to department-wide cardiac arrest drills, our goal is continuous improvement and the best possible outcomes for our patients,” Trenck said.

The department also offers free hands-only CPR classes for the public at Fire Headquarters, aiming to equip residents with the tools to act in an emergency. Officials credited support from Ridgefield Police and Communications Center dispatchers for contributing to successful patient outcomes.

The Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Award is presented to emergency agencies that meet or surpass national benchmarks for delivering timely, effective cardiovascular care.