A Bridgeview firefighter trains to respond to airway trauma.
Bridgeview Fire Chief Keith Grzadziel goes over a case study.

On Friday, November 15th Advocate Christ Hospital set up hands-on skill stations and prepared case studies in Bridgeview’s Village Hall to train firefighters/paramedics and EMT’s of surrounding municipalities under the Christ Hospital EMS system. The yearly training includes teams from Bridgeview, Bedford Park, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Oak Lawn, Summit, and others. The numerous training stations and hypothetical emergency scenarios covered topics including trauma airway management, CPR, stroke treatment, administration verification, and delivering babies. Remembering to note a patient’s last known normal (LKN) is an example of a critical piece of health information that often goes undocumented, and shoring up documentation gaps such as this can save lives. Lessons and experiences from the training enable Bridgeview’s first responders to sharpen their skills and stay on top of advancements in medical care and emergency services. Per Illinois State Law, every paramedic is required to complete 100 hours of continuing education every 4 years. EMT’s are required to complete 60-80 hours of continuing education, depending on their certification level, every 4 years. The Village of Bridgeview is proud to host these training courses for local emergency services and looks forward to continually supporting public safety.