City Emergency Medical Service Completes First Aid Training of Cleveland Division of Police

Road to Reform

Cleveland – In March 2015, the City of Cleveland Safety Director Michael McGrath implemented an effort to equip every police cruiser with first aid kits this year as well as train Police Officers on First Aid. 

The City invested over $100,000 to purchase 800 First Aid kits in support of this effort. Meanwhile, the City of Cleveland Division of Emergency Management Service (EMS), who was charged with the task of training the Police, completed the First Aid training for the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) in less than nine months.

This past week EMS, First Aid trainers completed it’s training of approximately 1,400 CDP employees. “I am extremely proud of the work they have accomplished,” said Safety Director Michael McGrath.

We know that the kits are already being used and are assisting the Police in saving lives.  “The commitment of the officers is apparent. They want to help people, they just needed the training and tools,” said Acting Commissioner Nicole Carlton.

“This partnership has strengthened the relationship between the two divisions in ways we never imagined.  I look forward to additional partnerships that will build the bond and make all of us better, as we work together.” added Acting Commissioner Carlton.

The American Heart Association (AHA) training included Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on adults, children and infants; choking; Automated External Defibrillator (AED); and First Aid.

In addition, the course content included training for items specific to the kits for CDP: halo chest seal, quick clot and the Special Operation Forces tactical tourniquet. The AHA six-hour course is a two-year certification course. An additional two hour portion of the training covered the CDP first aid kit specific items.

The EMS Education section balanced this crucial task of educating the Police Officers while keeping pace with the EMS recertification classes, monthly in-service classes (for EMS and Fire paramedics) as well as two Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cadet classes. 

Additionally, the logistics section tagged and distributed 464 kits to the each of the five CDP Districts, Traffic, Downtown Services Unit, Motorcycle Unit, Mounted Unit, Bureau of Special Investigation and Hopkins Airport Unit.  Spare kits were provided as well to ensure replacements are available.

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