MARSHALL — The city of Marshall and the Marshall Fire Department are now better equipped to respond to severe bleeding emergencies, thanks to Oaklawn Medical Group.
On Sunday, Oaklawn distributed 28 bleeding control kits to the city and its fire department for use in service vehicles, including the department of public works, electric department, water department, wastewater department and dial-a-ride.
The effort was funded by Oaklawn and through a grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Michigan Statewide Systems of Care program. The grant provides funding for educational, performance improvement and community injury prevention initiatives related to trauma, stroke and heart attacks.
“City workers are often in situations where severe bleeding emergencies may occur, such as using chain saws, heavy equipment and in other industrial situations,” Oaklawn Director of Emergency Management Sarah Hughes said in a news release. “The money from this grant provides bleeding control bags with tourniquets, emergency dressing supplies, shears, bleeding control gauze and laminated instructions for approximately 28 kits for the city of Marshall to use in situations where there is a severe bleeding emergency.
“Serious bleeding emergencies are actually the leading cause of death after a traumatic injury,” Hughes continued. “And we can do something about it if you’re there quick and have the equipment that you need. You could use a t-shirt or a sock or get creative, but when you have the actual supplies it is so much better. Hopefully, they will never have to use the kits but having them will be beneficial if an emergency arises.”
Marshall Fire Chief Martin Erskine indicated time is of the essence when deploying bleeding control kits in an emergency.
“If workers are out in the field, they can use the kits and stop the bleeding before emergency crews arrive,” Erskine said. “Waiting around after calling 911 could take at least five to six minutes for them to arrive. These kits are quite beneficial.”
In addition to the kits, Oaklawn provides initial and yearly “Stop The Bleed” training for Marshall employees. Oaklawn has also provided numerous bleeding control kits to the Marshall Police Department and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office in recent years.
Oaklawn routinely offers "Stop The Bleed" severe bleeding control classes to community members and organizations. For more information, call Hughes at (269) 789-7144.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
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