Rossville Schools have been proactive in preparing for emergency situations. The administration understands that no matter how fast emergency responders are able to arrive, it will be bystanders that will be first on the scene. This is why the district is committed to providing equipment and training to save a life. The school has multiple AEDs and bleeding control stations within the buildings. Since 2017, the majority of staff members have been trained on the use of a tourniquet and wound packing to control severe bleeding through the Stop the Bleed campaign. Each trained teacher has a tourniquet available in their emergency response bags which contain other emergency equipment and information.
On Saturday, September 22, Rossville Schools is taking preparation one step further. The Stop the Bleed initiative is intended to empower the general public to make a difference in a life-threatening emergency by teaching them basic techniques in bleeding control. Through the leadership of FFA Chapter President Courtney Rodkey, and the efforts David Hodson of the Rossville Volunteer Ambulance Service, this bleeding control training will be provided to Rossville FFA students.
Superintendent Dr. Jim Hanna remarked about this upcoming event, “I am glad the Rossville FFA is willing to take the initiative to save a life. While these skills are critical to a mass shooting situation such as Parkland in Florida or in the Las Vegas shooting, they are vital in other equally traumatic events on the highway, on the farm, or within a community. I am impressed that our students want to know how to respond to massive bleeding events and thankful to David Hodson and others of the Rossville Volunteer Ambulance Service for providing the training.” Rossville Schools trained 105 staff members in Bleeding Control on August 1 along with training in CPR and suicide prevention. Dr. Hanna will be working with other student groups for training if there is ample interest.
Those interested in further information about the Stop the Bleed initiative are encouraged to go towww.bleedingcontrol.org. This website also provides locations of nearby training for Stop the Bleed.