Fulton Public Schools teachers hope they'll never have to use the latest additions to their classrooms.
But in an emergency, the "Stop the Bleed" packs donated Wednesday by Callaway County Emergency Medical Services could save lives.
"This is a natural evolution of our active shooter training," Superintendent Jacque Cowherd said. "We're focused on safety and survival, should something horrible happen."
FPS is the third school system in Callaway County to receive packs from EMS - they've previously prepared the kits for New Bloomfield and St. Peter's. South Callaway is next on the list, Callaway Count EMS Assistant Director Linda Ellis said.
"What we're after is every classroom in Callaway County having one of these packs in them," Ellis said.
The packs contain tourniquets, bandages, emergency shears, gloves and other items aimed at controlling bleeding.
"They have stuff teachers and students would need if anyone has a traumatic injury," Ellis explained.
The EMS has trained teachers in how to use the kits, and they'll get a refresher each year during the annual active shooter training.
These kits aren't cheap to assemble, but a grant and a matching donation from the Fulton Rotary Club have helped pay the way. Donations toward the program can be given to the Fulton Rotary Club; mention "Stop the Bleed" on the memo line.
"We're looking at other fundraisers, like boot drives," Ellis said. "After we finish with the school districts, which we hope to do this year, we could potentially go to the colleges."
Cowherd expressed gratitude for the donation.
"This is a great project," he said.
Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security. The goal is to equip bystanders to help keep injured people alive until professional help can arrive. To learn more or get involved, visit dhs.gov/stopthebleed.