Cranberry Township EMS was awarded the Lifeline EMS Gold Award by the American Heart Association. From left, are Alex Kuhn, American Heart Association representative; Matt Nickl, Cranberry paramedic; and Ted Fessides, Cranberry EMS chief.

CRANBERRY TWP — The American Heart Association recognized Cranberry Township Emergency Medical Services at Thursday's meeting for their outstanding care of cardiac patients.

The medical team was awarded the Lifeline EMS Gold Award.

Cranberry EMS is one of only 615 nationwide to earn this recognition and only one of 77 in Pennsylvania.

“It's a very elite group of EMS agencies,” said Alex Kuhn of the American Heart Association.

The award has four levels, including bronze, silver, gold and gold plus. Cranberry Township's team received bronze in their first year, then silver over the last couple years.

“We are very honored to get this award today,” said Ted Fessides, chief of Cranberry Township EMS. “We finally reached Gold.”