Posted-- Wednesday, February 20, 2008 -- 5.40pm

Paramedics and hospitals are working together to treat stroke patients faster, while increasing their chance of survival and decreasing their chance of paralysis. The first time fire station 5 used this new protocol, they helped save one of their own.

Captain Lawler retired more than 30 years ago, and even worked at fire station five in the mid to late 60s. Now that service is coming full circle because for the first time after having a stroke in October, he is thanking one of the quick thinking paramedics.

Keith Lawler says, "I feel fine. But, waiting to beat up my doctor and get the keys to my car back." Almost feeling as feisty as ever, retired Captain Lawler is back visiting a fire station he's familiar, but hasn't seen much of lately. Lawler says, "Not since the stroke, but I did before, every Saturday and Sunday I'd bake something up and bring em' down." Until one October day, he got an unexpected visit from the guys in blue. Lawler says, "No, I remember nothing of it."

But on duty firefighter and paramedic Chris Hammes does. He says, "I was sitting right here in this seat and here he was and we just kept telling him, Keith, you're going to do fine and we're going to eat more of your banana bread, we'll take good care of you."

And they did. In part because his assisted living facility called 9-1-1 immediately, which is crucial, but also because upon arrival Chris Hammes was able to confirm the symptoms of stroke and then, for the first time, use new protocol. That meant Hammes was able to give St. Mary's early notification a stroke patient was on the way, allowing Lawler to bypass the usual wait time and second diagnosis from a nurse or physician. Hammes says, "When we got to the emergency department they had a crew of people waiting. We transferred him to the hospital bed essentially whisked him away right up to the CT scanner... I believe that from the time of symptom onset to CT scan was 40 minutes, which is quite remarkable."

Likely helping Captain Lawler recover faster and with fewer signs of stroke. Hammes says, "I don't know if you remember me, I was sitting in the back with you that day. Lawler says, " Ya, when you hauled me? Ya, when I was all.. and I couldn't see nothing?" Hammes says, " Well, it's good to see you up and about!"

Up and about and back to his same old sense of humor, giving the new regiment at fire station 5 a little grief. Lawler says, "They have dirtier floors (than we did)."

Of course, he's just joking! But all jokes aside, he and his ten children are very thankful for the new protocol. Captain Lawler still has what's called left side neglect, where he can't feel anything on his left side. That means he now has to be supervised when he bakes, so he doesn't burn himself, which is why he didn't bring his banana bread today, but will in the future.