The mobile medical training lab. Photo provided by Parkview Health.

News Release

FORT WAYNE — A unique new vehicle is responding to the needs of first responders, bringing advanced training and education directly where it’s needed.

Through the generosity of the EMS Foundation and other community partners, the Mobile Medical Training Lab, also known as the “mobile lab,” will be used to provide advanced medical simulation training throughout northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. The lab will support advanced training for first responders and all clinical caregivers to effectively address gaps in training for rural medical personnel.

The vehicle is equipped with advanced technology to simulate medical emergencies and allow clinicians to experience hands-on training in a lifelike environment. The spaces on the unit can be adapted to provide customized training, better preparing public safety personnel to respond to a variety of real-life emergencies.

The $500,000, custom-built vehicle is the result of a community partnership among several area organizations. The Emergency Medical Services Foundation funded the purchase of the lab, which is operated by the team at the Advanced Medical Simulation Lab at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. The EMS Foundation is part of the Fort Wayne Medical Society and is comprised of representatives from Fort Wayne hospitals, Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, Fort Wayne Fire Department and Fort Wayne Police Department.

The mobile lab will be used to provide at least 250 hours of training per year for TRAA, FWFD and FWPD personnel. It will also be made available to police, fire and EMS departments throughout the region, improving access to advanced medical training for all first responders, especially those in rural communities.

“Advanced medical training is important for everyone working in public safety to ensure they are prepared to handle any situation,” said Dr. Christian Bridgewater, president, EMS Foundation, and medical director for Parkview Samaritan. “The mobile unit will elevate training for area first responders by allowing them to practice skills in a customizable, lifelike environment. It also gives departments the opportunity to offer on-site training, making it easier for personnel to complete their ever-increasing continuing education requirements.”

The mobile lab is the first vehicle of its kind in Indiana. It was manufactured by LifeLine Mobile in Columbus, Ohio, which creates custom mobile units for healthcare organizations across the country.

The 42-foot truck is equipped with two simulation rooms, two control rooms and a debriefing space. The simulation room near the front of the vehicle can be customized for use in a wide variety of training scenarios.

The simulation room to the rear of the vehicle is a near-replica of a TRAA ambulance, with equipment and seating positioned in the same manner. This simulated environment allows for realistic training without taking an active ambulance out of service.

The Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation’s Advanced Medical Simulation Lab is accredited through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and is an Accredited Education Institute through the American College of Surgeons. Parkview’s team already offers simulation training to area first responders in its existing Advanced Mobile Medical Simulation Lab, which is a fully functional ambulance fitted with medical simulation technology. The new mobile lab expands and enhances the team’s mobile simulation capabilities.

“Simulation-based education results in better translation of skills compared to traditional methods of education, and it allows professionals to prepare for rare or intense scenarios that are otherwise difficult to replicate,” explained Dr. Michael Mirro, chief academic research officer with the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. “The mobile lab makes this advanced training accessible to more public safety teams and healthcare staff, who may not be able to travel to a sim lab or purchase their own advanced training equipment. Improving access to this education will improve the delivery of emergency care for our communities and help address the high trauma-related mortality rate in rural areas in our region.”

The mobile lab has been operational since late 2023, thanks to financial support from the Parkview Health Foundation, which also includes funding from the Fort Wayne Medical Society Foundation. Continued operation of the mobile lab will be funded through a combination of grants, philanthropic support and revenue from training events.

Contributions to support the mobile medical training lab may be made through the Parkview Health Foundation’s SIM Fund.