Bill to Provide More Trauma Kits to Law Enforcement Passes Senate
In the event of an emergency, every second counts.
That’s why senators are pushing for more law enforcement agencies to have access to trauma kits (also known as STOP THE BLEED KITS), which contain lifesaving tools.
Such kits are vital, especially when officers are the first to arrive on the scene ahead of the paramedics.
Now, legislation that would expand access to such kits among law enforcement agencies, and standardize what’s in the kits, advanced on Capitol Hill. The Senate passed the bipartisan American Law Enforcement Sustaining Aid and Vital Emergency Resources (SAVER) Act (S.2644).
“When law enforcement officers arrive on the scene of a health emergency, they can only do so much to triage an injury if they don’t have the proper resources,” said Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), one of the co-sponsors of the legislation. “This bipartisan legislation would equip our brave men and women in uniform with the tools to quickly respond when it matters most.”
The legislation expands the existing Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) program to allow for the purchase of trauma kits by state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
It also establishes baseline standards for trauma kits that are purchased under the Byrne-JAG program, which is the largest source of federal justice funding for state and local law enforcement.
Right now, there is a lot of variety in the kits. The legislation ensures that every kit would have basic bleeding control supplies like tourniquets as well as instructions.
Both police and medical organizations support the legislation.
“These kits can be placed in police vehicles, law enforcement agencies, and other government facilities ready to be deployed immediately following any injury in which blood loss is potentially fatal. More trauma kits in the field mean more lives saved,” wrote National Fraternal Order of Police National President Patrick Yoes.
“This legislation ensures that the tools necessary to save lives will be available when minutes matter,” said Dr. Patricia L. Turner, Executive Director & CEO of the American College of Surgeons.
The legislation also calls for the development of best practices for training law enforcement officers to use the kits as well as the best ways to deploy and maintain the kits.
“I am pleased the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation to provide law enforcement officers with standardized emergency trauma kits – important tools to save lives,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), another co-sponsor of the legislation.
The legislation now heads to the House.