Prehospital 9-1-1 emergency response is one of the essential public safety functions provided by the United States fire service in support of community health, security, and prosperity. Fire service-based emergency medical services (EMS) systems are strategically positioned to deliver time-critical response and effective patient care. Fire service-based EMS provides this pivotal public safety service while also emphasizing responder safety, competent and compassionate workers, and cost-effective operations.
Award Sponsored By:
Purpose of the Award
The Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award Program was established in 2010 to recognize volunteer, career, and combination fire departments for excellence in the delivery of emergency medical services. The award program is co-sponsored by CFSI and Masimo, a global medical-device technology company that develops and manufactures innovative noninvasive patient monitoring devices. Fire departments across the country are developing new and innovative approaches to deliver emergency medical care. Both CFSI and Masimo want to recognize these departments and share their innovations with other departments that are seeking new solutions of their own for delivering emergency medical services.
Award Goals
The award seeks to:
- Promote innovative practices in the delivery of fire service-based emergency medical services.
- Recognize fire departments that have demonstrated excellence in EMS delivery.
- Share successful EMS practices with other fire departments to enhance overall EMS effectiveness and efficiency.
- Highlight the importance of collaboration between fire departments and other community organizations in improving EMS outcomes.
- Leadership in promoting and supporting fire/emergency services and life safety issues.
- Advancing the readiness of the fire and emergency services at the national level.
- Strengthening fire safety through the development of fire prevention programs.
- Acting as a catalyst to improve the fire and emergency services.
Award Presentation
Recipients of the CFSI/Masimo Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award will be honored at the Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner held in Washington, DC. CFSI will cover reasonable expenses for one representative of the recipient department to attend the dinner, including transportation, overnight accommodations for a maximum of two nights, and seating at the dinner. Any additional costs will be the responsibility of the recipient. If available, a limited number of additional complimentary seats will be provided to other department representatives, as well as discount seating.
The award presentation will take place during the dinner program and will include a brief video highlighting the achievements of the award winner. CFSI will request the recipient to provide video or digital images of fire department personnel performing their work to be used in the award presentation video.
CFSI and Masimo will also offer to conduct a local award presentation in the recipient’s community, providing an opportunity to acknowledge local elected leaders and other stakeholders for their support of the innovation.
Award Eligibility
- The award is presented to fire departments; individuals are not eligible.
- A fire department must have implemented a unique practice that enhances the delivery of EMS in the community. The practice can involve partnerships with local hospitals and care facilities, law enforcement, research institutions, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and other community programs and organizations.
- The practice should have resulted in a positive impact on firefighter and paramedic safety, resource deployment, and/or the quality, effectiveness, or efficiency of fire service-based EMS.
- A department can nominate itself.
Nomination Process
- An online nomination form must be completed in its entirety and submitted by the due date.
- The nomination must address the following criteria:
- Significant contributions to enhancing EMS delivery in the community.
- Substantiation of a positive impact on firefighter and paramedic safety, resource deployment, and/or EMS quality, effectiveness, or efficiency.
- Unique outcomes/accomplishments of the department’s work.
- Documentation of collaboration with other community organizations.
- Nominations will be reviewed by the Selection Committee composed of board members from the Congressional Fire Services Institute and representatives from Masimo.
- The award winner(s) will be notified after the review process is complete.
Deadline for Submitting Nominations:
October 30, 2024
CFSI/Masimo Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award Program
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Previous Recipients
- 2024
Philadelphia Fire Department
- 2023
Colorado Springs Fire Department
- 2022
Loudon County (VA) Fire and Rescue System
- 2022
Fairfax County (VA) Fire Rescue Department
- 2022
South Metro Fire District
- 2021
Thornton (CO) Fire Department
- 2020
Chesterfield (VA) Fire and Emergency Medical Services
- 2020
San Antonio Fire Department
- 2019
Phoenix Fire Department
- 2019
Winona (OH) Fire Department
- 2018
Alpena (MI) Fire Departmen
- 2018
Illini Emergency Medical Services
- 2017
Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue Service
- 2017
Orange County (FL) Fire and Rescue Department
- 2016
Kittitas Valley (WA) Fire and Rescue
- 2016
Caribou (ME) Fire and Ambulance Department
- 2016
County of Henrico (VA) Division of Fire
- 2016
