DeSoto EMS 2026 award

MANSFIELD, La. – DeSoto EMS was recognized with the 2026 Louisiana EMS Municipal EMS Service of the Year award.

The award was announced at the conclusion of the Louisiana State EMS Awards Banquet held Saturday night in Shreveport.  

“We are incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized as the 2026 Louisiana EMS Municipal EMS Service of the Year at the Louisiana EMS Education Conference & Expo,” DeSoto EMS said Monday in a social media post. “While our name appears on this award, the truth is that it belongs to an entire team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly every single day to serve the citizens and visitors of DeSoto Parish.”

DeSoto EMS singled out all who contributed to the recognition, including the paramedics and EMTs who answer the call at all hours of the day and night, the field supervisors who provide leadership and support, the training division that continuously prepares personnel, the administrative staff and secretaries whose efforts behind the scenes keep the agency operating smoothly, the medical directors for their guidance, trust and commitment and the administrator for fostering a culture that prioritizes service, professionalism, innovation and continuous improvement.

“Most importantly, thank you to every employee of DeSoto Parish EMS. Awards such as this are never won by a single person, shift, or department. They are earned through countless hours of teamwork, sacrifice, training, problem-solving, and a shared commitment to excellence. Every member of this agency has contributed to making DeSoto Parish EMS what it is today. We are proud of this achievement, but even more proud of the people who made it possible,” the post states.

Also of note, DeSoto EMS is one of only three EMS ground services in the state carrying blood products in the field.

It’s a service DeSoto EMS started two years ago. And during that time, 13 patients have been helped with blood and plasma.

Prehospital blood transfusion is still a rare capability, especially for ground EMS services, according to DeSoto EMS.

“It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly, and it’s a capability that truly makes a difference when minutes matter most. We’ve seen firsthand how early blood administration can change outcomes—and even save lives—before a patient ever reaches the hospital. We’re incredibly fortunate to offer this level of care to our community, and we remain committed to pushing the standard forward in rural EMS,” DeSoto EMS said.