Watch Lakewood Firefighter Training with MetroHealth's Simulation Lab

LAKEWOOD, OH — In a first-of-its-kind training session, Lakewood firefighters are working through multiple complex scenarios to bring the most advanced emergency care to residents with symptoms of stroke or other life-threatening events. In some cases, the "victims" are human actors. In other cases, the victim is a full-size mannequin programmed digitally to respond to treatment.

Supported by MetroHealth’s Simulation Lab and Cleveland Clinic’s Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, Lakewood first responders are rehearsing in real time how they would respond to emergency calls. The Simulation Lab travels to fire departments, schools and other facilities to enhance training.

Dr. Thomas Noeller, medical director of the MetroHealth Simulation Lab, told Patch that three training exercises were conducted. The first was a car accident in which multiple people needed treatment and firefighters would need to triage and discern which victim to help first.

A drone was used to monitor the activity from above and video was reviewed following the sessions.

The other two scenarios involve a woman giving birth in her living room with no time to make it to the hospital. This scenario is acted out with the help of a full-size mannequin that is capable of giving birth. The mannequin is also able to recreate different types of potential complications that could occur during childbirth.

The third training session makes use of the new Cleveland Clinic Mobile Stroke Unit which will be servicing the Lakewood area in two weeks.

Noeller told Patch that one of the benefits of the mobile unit is that no time is wasted during transport. As soon as the patient is in the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, advanced diagnostics, treatment and communication with the hospital and doctors begins immediately. Quicker access to treatment can mean reduced complications from stroke

Already this year, the Lakewood Fire Department has transported about 60 suspected stroke patients to nearby emergency rooms or hospitals for care.

Photos and video by Rick Uldricks/Patch