RCPD officer Jason Kimbrell demos tourniquet application. Ouch, that hurts. Photo courtesy of Walter Little/Rancho Cordova Rotary International

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Monday, August 7, the day before school started, the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, “first line of defense” personnel gathered for a full day of reminders and updates, including how to identify and respond to drug problems and understanding and identifying potential “active shooters”. The Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova provided training on what to do in response to a catastrophic situation involving life threatening blood loss.

Stop the Bleed®
The STOP THE BLEED® program is a collaborative work created by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Its primary intent is to train and enable lay personnel to deal with catastrophic blood loss situations until professional help arrives.  It is licensed under the Department of Defense.  “Anyone can save a life if they are equipped with the skills and resources necessary to stop the bleeding,” Eileen M. Bulger, MD, FACS, Medical Director of ACS Trauma Programs.

It was quickly discovered that the training had widespread “Life Saving” application possibilities. Everywhere one looks; schools, churches, workplaces and home, to name a few, harbor the potential need to respond to a life-threatening incident. That discovery has prompted involvement and support across the country. A national public awareness campaign was launched by the White House.  A call to action to begin training the public on how to immediately respond to traumatic incidents until professional help arrives was proclaimed.

To date, that call has been responded to by several states including Arkansas, Indiana, California, Colorado and Texas.

With the passage of Assembly Bill 2260, signed into law by Governor Newsom, California became the first state to require the installation of trauma bleeding control kits in newly constructed public and private buildings in the state.

“Emergency Response Trauma Kits,” as the legislation is called, carries with it not only the placement of trauma kits but also the training on how to use them.  School districts are already responding to the anticipated inclusion under future legislation.

Enabling Others
Since the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) first publicly introduced STOP THE BLEED® to its members, over 3 million professionals and volunteers have joined the growing army of course instructors. 

Rotary in Action – Service Above Self
The world’s first professional service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, was formed in 1905 by Paul P. Harris.

Today, Rotary is an organization of approximately 1.2 million business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  The organization’s dedication to this ideal is best expressed in its principal motto: “Service Above Self.”

Last year the idea of sponsoring STOP THE BLEED® training was brought to Rancho Rotary by Rotarian Deacon Walter Little as another opportunity to serve the community. Dr. David Shatz, a trauma surgeon with UC Davis Medical Center and member of the American College of Surgeons was contacted and agreed to conduct a “train-the-trainer” class. Attendees included members of the Rancho Cordova Police Department, the Sacramento Police Department, (local DHS contact), the VA Medical Center, the Emergency Medical Services Authority, the American River Bike Patrol and Rotarians. All became certified STOP THE BLEED® trainers.

What’s Ahead?
D.T. Martin, FCUSD Coordinator of Safe Schools, commented during debriefing of the “first line of defense” training: “STOP THE BLEED® is a lifesaver and is something we should consider for all personnel working with students.”

Stop the Bleed .Org
Rancho Cordova Rotary has become the first organization to sponsor opportunities for ongoing training. If you, someone you know, or an organization you are associated with, would like further information on this life saving project, please check out the website (STOPTHEBLEED.ORG). Then contact Rancho Rotary STOP THE BLEED® rep Walter Little at [email protected]

It’s simple. It doesn’t take a lot of time. And it’s FREE.

EMSA EMT Laura Little demos how to pack a wound. Photo courtesy of Walter Little/Rancho Cordova Rotary International

Katya Herrendoerfer and Shelly Claudey practice tourniquet application. Photo courtesy of Walter Little/Rancho Cordova Rotary International