Recently, students from FSCJ’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program took an active role in Stop the Bleed (STB), a nationwide campaign intended to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in an emergency before professional help arrives.

According to Tom McCrone, EMS program director, this year’s class has been certified as STB Instructors by the American College of Surgeons and are conducting classes at North Campus. To date, they have helped train more than 100 individuals including medical assisting students, security officers and members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. FSCJ Security Chief Tom Mitchell, Adjunct Professor Murray Kramer, EMTP/RN and Professor Steven Sheffer, EMTP/RN are assisting students in this project.

Civilians need basic training in bleeding control principles so they are able to provide immediate, frontline aid until first responders take over care of an injured person. Without civilian intervention in these circumstances, preventable deaths will occur.   

Originally motivated by the 2012 tragedy in Sandy Hook and other tragedies that have occurred in recent years, the significance of this training is critical.  

“Our goal is to train other health care students on campus and conduct train-the-trainer sessions, so we can reach as many faculty and students as possible over the next year,” McCrone said.

For more information, visit bleedingcontrol.org.