Task force distributes STOP the Bleed kits to all schools in Illinois

The Illinois Terrorism Task Force has announced significant steps which are designed to improve trauma management training at schools in the state. 

Following the recommendations of the School Safety Working Group, more than 7,000 STOP the Bleed kits were distributed to schools in Illinois ahead of the 2019-2020 school year.

STOP the Bleed is a national campaign intended to train, equip and empower bystanders to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.   

A STOP the Bleed kit contains a C-A-T tourniquet, QuikClot bleeding control dressing, emergency trauma dressing, a MicroShield mask, Nitrile gloves, trauma shears, permanent marker and an instruction card.

“Our top priority will always be preventing violence from occurring, but we must also be prepared for worst case scenarios,” acting IEMA director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said in a news release. 

“STOP the Bleed kits and the training that comes along with them can save lives and I applaud the Illinois Terrorism Task Force for implementing this program statewide.”

During the summer, the regional offices of education distributed one STOP the Bleed kit to each school in Illinois.  

Each school district has been asked to train a minimum of five teachers/staff in each building where children attend school.  

Upon completion of this training, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, through the regional offices of education, will distribute an additional five kits to the school. 

“STOP the Bleed kits provide the tools to help the public save lives, but the knowledge and confidence to save a life comes with proper training,” said Mary Connelly director, of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team, IMERT. 

“With more certified trainers, the mission of helping and protecting our communities can grow.” 

The Illinois Terrorism Task Force has called on those in the medical community, volunteer organizations and police and fire community to join this mission. 

In order to meet the demand of the more than 5,000 public and private schools in Illinois, more trainers are needed to provide this invaluable hands-on training.  

IMERT, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Women’s Health, has pledged to train one thousand school nurses by February 2020. 

The 90-minute STOP the Bleed training was developed by the American College of Surgeons specifically for the public and is offered by trained health care and public safety volunteers at no associated cost to the school.  

Information about training courses and to learn how to provide training can be found online at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.