West NY News

The Chautauqua County Department of Emergency Services, through its EMS Education Division, has announced the distribution of "Stop the Bleed" kits to all schools across Chautauqua County in preparation for the upcoming school year. This announcement was made by EMS Education Coordinator Josh Schauman during a press conference at Maple Grove High School in Ellery, NY. Maple Grove is the first school in the county to participate in Schauman's "Stop the Bleed" training, where educators learned essential lifesaving skills.

This initiative responds to the tragic events of May 2022, when an ex-student of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, took the lives of 19 children and two teachers and injured another 17 students. Schauman emphasized the importance of preparedness: "Many of us maintain the illusion that such tragedies ‘could never happen here,’ shielding ourselves from the stark reality that our own schools might not be as prepared as we assume," he said. "This realization forces us to confront our vulnerabilities and drives us to seek empowerment and preparedness."

Schauman has dedicated his career to understanding aggressive and deadly behavior events, focusing on critical response techniques. His mission includes training first responders in critical incident management, effective triaging of casualties, and life-saving techniques.

"In light of recent events, it's become clear that preparedness is paramount," said Schauman. "Our goal with distributing these 'Stop the Bleed' kits is to ensure that every school in Chautauqua County has the tools and training needed to save lives during critical moments."

Schauman's colleagues Charlene Unger and Nicholas Carlson have joined him in this mission. Their efforts evolved from training a single school to a county-wide initiative despite initial resistance.

"Providing these kits to our schools is a significant step towards enhancing the safety of our students and staff," expressed Noel Guttman, Director of Emergency Services. "It's a proactive measure that demonstrates our commitment to preparedness and the well-being of our community."

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel also emphasized readiness: "As someone who has been on the front lines, I understand the critical importance of having lifesaving tools ready at a moment's notice," said Wendel. "The distribution of these 'Stop the Bleed' kits represents our dedication to protecting our children and ensuring our schools are prepared for any emergency."

The initiative received over $25,000 in grant funding from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. This financial support enabled purchasing Stop the Bleed first-aid kits for every school in Chautauqua County.

"We are deeply grateful for this initiative. The training and kits provided by the Chautauqua County EMS Education Division are invaluable resources that enhance our schools' safety and security," said Joseph Reyda, Bemus Point Central School District Superintendent.

About Chautauqua County EMS Education Division: The EMS Education Division provides essential training and resources focusing on lifesaving techniques and emergency preparedness for first responders and community members.