The Lakewood Police Department held its annual lifesaving first aid training on Monday, teaching participants how to perform CPR and properly apply tourniquets as part of the “Stop the Bleed” program.

The training, held at Lakewood EMS headquarters on Pine Street, was provided to members of the Lakewood Community Coalition, a diverse group made up of law enforcement, volunteer agencies and community and religious institutions, as well as Lakewood Township employees and their family members.

LPD Officers Joseph Sandstrom and Kyle Seehausen conducted the hands-on course using real-life medical equipment and training manikins, demonstrating techniques that can be critical in the minutes before emergency responders arrive.

“One cannot overstate the value of being able to perform CPR and/or ‘Stop the Bleed’ in the precious moments before emergency services can arrive at a scene,” Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein, a longtime volunteer EMT and the Township Committee’s Emergency Services Liaison, said. “Thanks to the LPD for once again stepping up and contributing of their unique expertise and resources to save lives in Lakewood and beyond.”