Rossville Schools continues to take a proactive approach to safety by ensuring that every staff member is equipped with the knowledge and tools to save lives when emergencies strike.
This month, all staff members participated in Bleeding Control training, which takes place every two years. Led by instructor David Hodson, the hands-on session covered critical skills such as wound packing, applying tourniquets, and controlling severe bleeding—techniques proven to save lives in trauma situations.
“If someone is seriously hurt and bleeding heavily, those first few minutes are critical,” said Kayla Horoho, Rossville’s school nurse. “This training helps our staff respond quickly and confidently when every second matters. It’s about doing what you can in the moment to give someone a fighting chance until help arrives.”
Rossville Schools backs this training with a strong infrastructure of emergency supplies. The district has 28 Bleeding Control stations located throughout its campus, each stocked with 5 to 8 kits. Every teacher also has a personal kit in their classroom emergency bag, and every bus driver carries one on their bus. Whether an emergency happens in the building or on the road, staff are prepared.
According to the national Stop the Bleed campaign, severe bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after an injury, and a person can die in as little as five minutes if bleeding isn’t controlled. With basic training and the right equipment, bystanders can take lifesaving action. Studies show that individuals trained in bleeding control successfully intervene in more than 90% of real-world situations where those skills are needed.
The Bleeding Control training is just one part of Rossville’s broader all-hazards preparedness plan. Staff also complete CPR and AED certification, and the district has an in-house emergency response team made up of EMTs, firefighters, police officers, administrators, and the school nurse. This team can be activated immediately through the school’s phone and radio system, ensuring a coordinated and rapid response during emergencies.
“At Rossville, safety is a shared responsibility,” added Horoho. “We hope we never have to use these skills, but we train so we’re ready—because our students deserve that level of care.”
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Dr. Jim Hanna, Superintendent