Heart smart
Northville Township awarded prestigious Lifeline achievement award
This year marks the first time the township fire department applied to be a part of this program.
The Mission: Lifeline initiative emphasizes access to rapid and appropriate care by implementing best practices in coordination with hospitals, EMS agencies and first responders, according to a prepared statement from the township. By meeting strict performance measures, Northville Township Fire Department has demonstrated a high standard of care and dedication to saving lives throughout the community.
“This award highlights the incredible work of our EMS personnel and their relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Northville Township Fire Chief Brent Siegel. “We are honored to be recognized and remain committed to providing the highest level of prehospital care.”
The Northville Township Fire Department trains daily for all emergencies. Each firefighter is also a paramedic. Every frontline vehicle is licensed and equipped to provide Advanced Life Support, the highest level of pre-hospital medical care. Tasks performed include cardiac monitoring, intubation and administering IV medications, according to township sources.
In 2024, the Fire Department responded to 2,859 medical emergencies. Paramedics assessed 2,871 patients and transported 1,640 patients to the hospital.
The entire department takes pride in the rate of cardiac arrest survival outcomes. In 2024 alone, the department successfully resuscitated five victims of cardiac arrest who were discharged from the hospital with good neurological function. A person who experiences cardiac arrest (specifically ventricular fibrillation (VFIB) arrests) in Northville Township has a survival rate that is almost three times greater than the national average, according to fire department statistics. The department has achieved this by implementing the best practices used across the world, including high-performance CPR, officials said.
Achieving the Silver Award is a testament to the team’s training, dedication, and lifesaving impact in the community.
“I am happy to report the only reason we did not achieve the Gold Achievement Award is because it is not awarded your first year in the program,” explained Siegel. “We met the award criteria for Gold, but this is not awarded until year two.”
The award shows residents the dedication of the township to public safety, said Township Manager Glenn Caldwell.
“Our residents are in excellent hands and our Fire Department continues to be the standard in top-notch care,” Caldwell said. “Thank you to all the first responders who work diligently daily for such terrific outcomes.”
