Ohio Emergency Management Services will equip central Ohio first responders with nearly 1,000 Public Safety Drop Kits that will be used for mass emergency responses, U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) said Monday during a press conference.
“We know that a crucial window of time exists before first responders can arrive on the scene of a mass incident — and may need to defuse a threat — before injured persons are able to receive care,” Rep. Balderson said. “By providing these drop kits and proactively empowering Ohioans to provide lifesaving care, we are giving back precious minutes that might be the difference between life and death.”
The congressman was on hand to help announce a new partnership comprised of Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Emergency Management Directors from the surrounding 14 counties, and Columbus, Ohio-based citizenAID that will provide the kits.
“This partnership is an innovative move to equip our citizens with the skills and tools they need to save others’ lives, while supporting a local small business,” said Rep. Balderson.
The kits, which are being purchased through a State Homeland Security Program Grant, will be placed in first responder vehicles, as well as in special event units working large-crowd public events, according to a statement released by Rep. Balderson’s office.
The citizenAID Public Safety Drop Kit provides easy access to Public Treatment Kits (PTKs), which include tourniquets, pressure dressings, gauze, emergency blankets, nitrile gloves, instructions, and a citizenAID Pocket Guide.
The company has packaged six PTKs in a small, transportable bag that first responders can “drop” so that civilians may help treat the wounded, according to the congressman’s statement.