What began as a routine assist-lift call in one of Lakewood’s adult communities quickly turned into a more complex situation — and a testament to the compassion and collaboration that define the town’s emergency response system.
A Lakewood EMS crew responded to assist a resident who had fallen in their home. While these types of calls are common, this one took an unusual turn. After successfully lifting the patient and confirming there were no injuries, the crew discovered that the fall had accidentally damaged the resident’s only toilet, leaving them without a vital household necessity.
Rather than leaving the resident in a difficult and undignified situation, the EMS crew took action, contacting Bikur Cholim of Lakewood.
Within minutes, Bikur Cholim arrived on scene with a portable commode, providing the resident with a temporary but immediate solution until their building’s maintenance team could make permanent repairs.
“Our crew was not willing to leave this situation unaddressed,” the department said in a statement. “Thankfully, we are fortunate to have strong partnerships with volunteer organizations like Bikur Cholim that allow us to provide more than just medical care — we provide peace of mind and dignity.”
Officials praised the collaboration as a model example of how emergency services and community-based organizations can work hand-in-hand to meet the full scope of residents’ needs.
“This is what community looks like,” the department added.