The Lancaster County Board of Commissions approved Wednesday the application of a grant from the District Attorney’s Office to obtain “Stop the Bleed” training and supplies for shooter situations.
The District Attorney’s Office intends to apply to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for up to $126,957 in funding. The office should know by Oct. 1 whether the grant is accepted.
On Wednesday morning, the commissioners voted 3-0 giving the go-ahead to apply for the funding.
The DA’s Office intends to use the funding for bleed kits, tourniquets and other supplies for Lancaster County government offices and departments and participating school districts.
Lancaster General Hospital is offering free trainings on usage to those who receive the supplies. Specifically, there will be instruction on tourniquet use and methods to stop major bleeding.
As part of the program, trainings will also be offered to administrators on signs of a potential shooter situation and how to react to such circumstances.
“No one wants to envision such a horrific situation in their school,” District Attorney Craig Stedman said. “But the reality is no district can consider themselves immune from such potential tragedy, and the fact is that this is on our children’s minds.”
“So, while we hope for the best, we must prepare for the worst,” District Attorney Stedman said. “This will also give us a chance to offer expanded training inroads into our schools with the aims of providing tools to help prevent an incident, and better respond should one occur.
“The bottom line is the number one role of government is to provide for public safety, particularly for our children, and this could save some lives.”
Stop the Bleed is a national campaign launched by the White House in 2015.
A special thanks to Lancaster General Hospital for offering their critical services.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright