09/12/2026
🚑👏 Outstanding Stroke Care Recognized
Congratulations to Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Harvey and Firefighter/EMT Sean C**n, who were presented with a BEFAST Award from Mary Washington Hospital during their recent IMPACT Trauma Conference.
The award recognized their care of a stroke patient from the Lake Anna area on July 29. The fire engine from Station 8 (New Bridge) and an ambulance from Station 1 (Louisa) responded to the call. Engine 8 arrived first, and the crew quickly recognized signs of a stroke and radioed that information to the Medic 1 crew so they could begin preparing before they even reached the scene.
Once the ambulance arrived, the patient was rapidly assessed, packaged, and transported to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, alerting the hospital of the suspected stroke.
That rapid recognition, care, and transport, along with the early prehospital stroke alert, made a tremendous difference. The hospital stroke team met the crew in the ER, and in less than 20 minutes the patient had been evaluated, received a CT scan, and was administered medication designed to dissolve clots in stroke patients, providing this patient with the best outcome possible.
This call is a great example of how strong teamwork between our crews, early recognition of a time-critical emergency, and decisive EMS care impact patient outcomes every day. It also reflects the skill, professionalism, and dedication our providers bring to every call.
Congratulations, Nick and Sean, on this well-deserved recognition!
Mary Washington Healthcare
