The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is the first Maryland local government entity to lead “Stop the Bleed” training for high school students.
The effort aligns with the 9th grade “Safety & Injury Prevention” curriculum requiring every student “to demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately to emergency situations.”
“Risk reduction programs such as ‘Stop the Bleed’ and public access to life safety resources creates educational opportunities to prevent injuries, assist others and make a real difference,” said Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman.
Train-the-Trainer to Ramp Up Emergency Preparedness
This educational program is modeled after the current and successful Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training taught by health teachers to high school students.
Howard County has provided provided written materials, presentations and Stop the Bleed training kits to the local school district to teach and practice the skill. Through a train-the-trainer model, fire and rescue services personnel will train approximately 20 high school health teachers -- who will then teach approximately 4,500 students county-wide -- the life threatening bleeding control identification and skills.
“Safety and Security requires a multi-prong approach and as we improve the physical security of our schools and add mental health services, it is also critical that we are prepared for emergencies,” said HCPSS Superintendent Michael J. Martirano.
Fire Chief John S. Butler said the department has trained more than 3,500 community members over the past two years and stocked schools with “Stop the Bleed” kits.
The natural next step is making sure students are aware of the kits and how to properly use them in the event of an emergency. This program will ensure Howard County students are educated and prepared,” said Butler.