Since its first day in service, MS1 has been dispatched to 1,366 calls for service, delivering specialized assessment and treatment capabilities at the scene and helping stroke patients receive critical care faster than ever before.
When it comes to stroke, time is brain. Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States, and treatment outcomes improve significantly when care begins within the first few hours. Every minute saved can mean better outcomes, reduced disability, and a greater chance of recovery.
MS1 is equipped with a portable CT scanner, tele-neurology technology, and medications, enabling treatment to begin within minutes of arrival. Stroke-trained nurses and critical care paramedics have real-time access to remote neurologist consultation, allowing specialists to review imaging and recommend treatment decisions without delay. The unit also enables personnel to administer clot-busting medications in the field, allowing preliminary stroke diagnosis and treatment to begin before the patient arrives at the hospital.
“One year ago, we made a commitment to bring the hospital to the patient, and our personnel have delivered on that promise every single day,” said Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II. “MS1 represents exactly the kind of innovation that defines this department: getting the right care to the patient at the right time. I am incredibly proud of every JFRD and UF Health team member who has made this program a success."
"The Rescue Division is built on a foundation of providing the highest level of care to every patient we serve," said M. Dallas Cooke, Division Chief of Rescue. “MS1 has elevated what's possible in the field. Our crews arrive equipped to assess, diagnose, and begin treatment at the patient's side, with capabilities once available only within hospital walls."
MS1 launched as one of only a handful of mobile stroke units operating in the United States, and one year later, its impact on patient outcomes in Jacksonville continues to grow. For more information about JFRD's Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, visit MyJFRD.com.
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JFRD's Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit Marks One Year of Lifesaving Service
June 03, 2026
One year ago today, Jacksonville launched a new kind of emergency response for stroke care. On June 3, 2025, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) placed MS1, its Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, into service in partnership with UF Health, bringing advanced stroke care directly to patients when every second matters.