Emergency Management Deploying Bleed Kits
Mahaska County Emergency Management Director Jamey Robinson shares with the commission what the bleed kits are and look like during Thursday’s commission meeting.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Mahaska County Emergency Management has received another tool to ensure the safety of Mahaska County residents. At the most recent Emergency Management Commission meeting, EMA Director Jamey Robinson reported that his office had received several “bleed kits,” which he said can be utilized in a mass casualty/mass bleed event. Each kit is equipped with several pouches, each containing bandages and tourniquets.
“Stuff to stop the bleeding,” Robinson said of the contents of each kit.
Robinson said that he is currently conducting training with area schools. Once he has completed the training at a school, they are given a kit. As of now, the Fremont campus of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont schools, the Eddyville campuses of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont schools, and Peoria Christian School all have been given kits.
“When I looked at the schools, I wanted schools that were a ways out from assistance,” Robinson said. “I really wanted to hit the schools that it is going to take some time to get assistance there,” he reiterated.
He added that he is seeking grant money, which would allow him to get eight more kits.
“If we can get more kits, we will start working with North Mahaska and Osky schools,” Robinson said.
Robinson explained that each kit is placed next to an AED [defibrillator] device in a school, allowing for easy and quick access in the event the kit is needed.
“We try to put them right next to AED because then it’s right in an identified area,” he said.
Sheriff Russ Van Rengterghem noted that police officers and sheriff’s deputies currently carry tourniquets and other devices to help them if they are placed into a situation involving victims with heavy bleeding.
Robinson also reported at the meeting that his office has been in discussions with the Marion, Poweshiek, and Jasper County EMA offices to discuss joint county assistance between all four counties, in the event of a major disaster. Robinson said that the talks were inspired by last year’s Pella tornado, which severely damaged several plants at Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella. Robinson said that the reason for all four counties coordinating together would be because it would give an idea of what tools and personnel are available to help during a major event.
“We’re doing it from multiple counties because then you can use multiple counties and know what’s going to show up,” Robinson said.
Robinson said that he likely will be coming back to the Commission for approval of a formal agreement regarding the joint assistance. In response to a question from Supervisor Mark Groenendyk, Robinson said that the agreement would not be in the form of a 28E. Rather, Robinson said that his department, as well as the three other counties, will utilize the Iowa Mutual Aid Compact.
