Springfield EMS Director Named Star of Life
The American Ambulance Association selected Sara Rolando for her leadership in community health and emergency operations.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Emergency Response
Sara Rolando, the Director of Operations for Medics First of Springfield, has been named a 2026 Star of Life by the American Ambulance Association. The honor recognizes her significant contributions to emergency medical services and community safety initiatives.
Why it matters
The award highlights the importance of leadership and employee development in the field of emergency medicine. It also acknowledges Rolando’s dedication to improving public access to life-saving medical equipment.
The award recognizes Rolando for her oversight of emergency medical response and non-emergency patient transportation. Her work includes managing the Medics First AED Grant Program, which installs automated external defibrillators in public spaces.
The players
Sara Rolando
She serves as the Director of Operations for Medics First of Springfield and manages emergency medical response operations.
American Ambulance Association
This national organization represents ambulance services across the United States and oversees the annual Stars of Life awards program.
The details
Rolando serves as the Director of Operations at Medics First, where she focuses on coaching and mentoring staff to improve emergency care delivery. Her efforts within the organization extend to community outreach, specifically through the implementation of public AED placements to support responses to sudden cardiac arrest incidents.
Timeline
Sara Rolando was named a 2026 Star of Life.
The American Ambulance Association will hold its celebration in Washington, D.C., on November 16-18, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The recognition of Rolando follows the tradition of the American Ambulance Association 2026 Stars of Life celebration in honoring individual leadership in the emergency medical industry. Such awards reflect broader industry efforts to promote excellence in emergency management and public safety.
Residents should remain aware of the AED locations in their neighborhood supported by the Medics First grant initiative. Being familiar with these device locations can significantly improve response times during a sudden cardiac arrest emergency.
The takeaway
Effective emergency medical response relies heavily on both skilled leadership and the strategic placement of life-saving equipment like AEDs. Community members are encouraged to identify the nearest public access defibrillators in their local areas to prepare for potential emergencies.
What happens next
Sara Rolando will attend the American Ambulance Association 2026 Stars of Life celebration in Washington, D.C., scheduled for November 16-18, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local safety initiatives, see Emergency Response.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRSP.
