City of Lakewood, Ohio

Lakewood Division of Fire
Lawrence Mroz Fire Chief Station 1: 14601 Madison Avenue Station 2: 18124 Detroit Avenue Station 3: 12567 Clifton Boulevard Lakewood, Ohio 44107 (216) 529-6656 Email Lakewood Fire Department

Start-A-Heart Program

The Lakewood Start-A-Heart Program, a citywide effort to treat sudden cardiac arrest victims and to improve community response to such emergencies, strategically locates Automatic External Defibrillators throughout the community. An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is a small, lightweight devise used to assess a person's hearth rhythm. If necessary, it administers an electric shock to restore a normal rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Lakewood Start-A-Heart was introduced in 2001 in collaboration with Lakewood Hospital under the supervision of Lakewood Health Commissioner Virginia Evans M.D. The program initially provided AED and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation training to over 300 targeted individuals including public & private school personnel, city employees, Board of Recreation employees, the Lakewood YMCA personnel and Office on Aging employees.

There are currently 22 AEDs located in Lakewood:
1	Foster Pool, 14526 Lake Avenue (during pool season only) In the off season, this AED is transferred to the indoor pool at Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin.
2	Madison Pool, 13201 Madison Avenue (during pool season only). During the off-season, this AED is transferred to Fire Station #1 for community training.
3-5	Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Boulevard (3 units)
6-7	St. Edward High School, 13500 Detroit Avenue (2 units)
8	Winterhurst Ice Rink, 14740 Lakewood Heights Boulevard
9	Lakewood Catholic Academy, 14808 Lake Avenue
10	Lakewood Senior Center East, 12400 Madison Avenue
11	Kathleen & Robert Lawther Center (formerly Senior Center West), 16024 Madison Avenue
12-14	Lakewood YMCA, 16915 Detroit Avenue (3 units)
15	Lakewood Police Department, 12650 Detroit Avenue
16	Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue
17	Lakewood Fire Station #1, 14601 Madison Avenue
18	Lakewood Fire Station #2, 18124 Clifton Boulevard
19	Lakewood Fire Station #3, 12567 Clifton Boulevard
20	Lakewood Police Department Car, 12650 Detroit Avenue
21	Lakewood Police Department Car, 12650 Detroit Avenue
22	Lakewood Fire Prevention Bureau car, 14601 Madison Avenue

Click here for a map of current AED locations. (PDF)

In 2005, the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Hospital Association have been working to expand the current AED Program within the City of Lakewood. The Lakewood Hospital Association generously committed $25,000 toward the purchase of additional AEDs, supplies and training. Ten new AEDs were purchased and will be placed at various locations within the City, including police vehicles which are often first responders to emergency medical situations.

In addition, the Lakewood Start-A-Heart Committee was formed. This committee is responsible for overseeing the expansion and future implementation of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Public Access Program within the City of Lakewood. The Start-A-Heart Committee will be responsible for all decisions regarding the purchase and placement of AEDs within the City, the purchase and distribution of supplies for the AED Program and training related to the use and operation of the AEDs. The Committee will also engage in fundraising efforts to help support the future financial needs of the program.

The Start-A-Heart committee is composed of the Fire Chief, Paramedic Suervisor who is assigned to the AED Program, the Assistant Director of Finance, an Assistant Director of Law, Lakewood Hospital's Emergency Department Medical Director and two other members appointed by the Lakewood Hospital Foundation.

Donations to the Lakewood Start-A-Heart Program can be made through The Lakewood Foundation, by calling Laura Schuerger at (216) 529-6686.

Heartsaver AED/CPR Courses

The Lakewood Start-A-Heart Committee is offering Heartsaver AED/CPR Courses. Courses will be offered from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 14601 Madison Avenue on the following dates:

• Wednesday, September 10, 2008
• Wednesday, October 8, 2008
• Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Heartsaver AED Course teaches the basic techniques of adult CPR and how to use an AED. Students also learn about using barrier devices in CPR and giving first aid for choking. The course teaches how to recognize the signs of four major emergencies: heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest and foreign-body airway obstruction. The scope of this course does not include infant (0-12 months) CPR technique..

The cost for the class is $20.00. It must be paid in advance and is non-refundable. To register to take one of the monthly HeartSaver AED/CPR courses, contact Cheryl Behm at Lakewood Hospital at (216) 227-2404. Books are also available to purchase prior to or at the class for $12 each.