Since September 2020, Advanced Medical Transport (AMT) has proudly partnered with the Pekin Fire Department to make strides in emergency cardiac care through AMT’s proven “Race to the Top” cardiac arrest resuscitation program. This innovative, nationally recognized collaboration has been instrumental in saving lives and enhancing cardiac arrest response across our community.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of death in America, killing around 360,000 adults annually. Fewer than 10% of victims survive the episode. It is the most severe of medical conditions, and much worse than a heart attack. October is National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness month.

Leveraging the very latest in training, technology, and evidence-based best practices, Pekin Fire and AMT doubled down on efforts to save more lives than ever before. 

“Saving lives is everyone’s responsibility,” said AMT CEO Andrew Rand of the system of care. “By working together, we can achieve better results.”

These results have consistently outpaced the national average in a dramatic manner. In the United States, only 9.5% of Cardiac Arrest victims survive to hospital discharge. In Pekin, 21.9% of victims have survived to discharge thus far in 2024. At a time when national averages were trending downward, Pekin’s numbers were climbing sharply. 

Steven Amstutz, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for the Pekin Fire Department, has helped to lead the charge forward.

“’Race to the Top’ is an initiative that the Pekin Fire Department has been excited to be a part of, working together with Advance Medical Transport to bring the latest advances in cardiac arrest care. The results of the program have been amazing for our community. Our goal is not only to improve the survivability of cardiac arrest, but to see positive neurologic outcomes for our survivors. We look forward to seeing the program continue to improve the outcomes for victims of sudden cardiac arrest in our community.”

The program began as a pilot program in Peoria over a decade ago, and has consistently been awarded recognition as one of the leading programs in the nation. In August of 2024, it was presented at the largest national Emergency Medical Services Leadership conference and has been published as a case study by ZOLL Medical and EMS World. 

By integrating cutting-edge technology and biomedical devices, advanced training, and swift pit crew style coordination between AMT and Pekin Fire Department, we have significantly increased survival rates to between double and triple the national average. 

This accomplishment underscores the effectiveness of the program and the commitment of both AMT and the Pekin Fire Department to providing top-tier emergency medical services. Additionally, the Tazewell County Health Department has helped to update an Automated External Defibrillator database to help dispatchers and citizens locate AEDs in an emergency using the PulsePoint smartphone app. Pekin and Peoria were the first two areas of Illinois to be covered by this virtual “safety net” when AMT implemented it in 2016.

The success of this initiative reflects the power of intense collaboration and highlights the dedication of Pekin’s emergency services providers. The Pekin Fire Department and Advanced Medical Transport remain committed to continuing this lifesaving work, striving to reach even more milestones in cardiac care.

Together, we’re Racing to the Top in saving lives and making a difference in Pekin.