The Shreveport Fire Department has once again been nationally recognized for its outstanding prehospital cardiac and stroke care. For the second consecutive year, the department has been named to the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline® EMS Recognition Program and Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Honor Roll — this time earning the prestigious Gold Status for excellence in both STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) and stroke care.
This achievement represents a significant step forward from the department’s previous Silver Status, reflecting Shreveport Fire Department’s continued commitment to delivering time-critical interventions and exceptional outcomes for patients experiencing life-threatening emergencies.
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition,” said Fire Chief Clarence Reese, Jr. “It highlights the professionalism, training, and dedication of our EMTs and paramedics who serve the people of Shreveport every single day. Achieving gold status places us among the top EMS agencies in the country when and it comes to evidence-based, high-performance emergency care.”
The AHA awards Gold Status to EMS agencies that demonstrate consistent, reliable, and high-quality care as defined by rigorous national performance standards — including rapid identification, treatment, transport for patients with heart attacks and strokes.
Medical Director Dr. David Janese added, “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and continuous clinical excellence that our crews bring to every call. But more than that, it shows our commitment to improvement and better outcomes for our community.”
The Shreveport Fire Department credits this achievement to strong partnerships with local hospitals, streamlined protocols, and advanced training programs that emphasize early ECG recognition, prehospital stroke alerts, and rapid scene-to-balloon times.
As the department celebrates this milestone, leaders reaffirm their commitment to advancing prehospital care. “We are honored, but not satisfied,” said Chief Reese. “Our mission is clear — we will continue to push for innovation, training, and the highest standards to give every patient their best chance at survival and recovery.”