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Niagara County Department of Health receives MRC Challenge Award for 'Stop the Bleed' campaign

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Tue, Feb 20th 2018 04:50 pm
The Niagara County Department of Health, which directs and coordinates the Niagara County Medical Reserve Corps, has been awarded a $7,500 MRC Challenge Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), in partnership with the office of the surgeon general. The award will fund a project to help save lives during bleeding emergencies. This is in response to the White House "Stop the Bleed" national awareness campaign and call to action.
"The selection process this year was very competitive and your (Niagara County Department of Health) project application demonstrated a commitment to excellence," stated Kathy Deffer, senior program analyst for NACCHO.
The "Stop the Bleed" initiative is intended to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.
"Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, managed by the Niagara County Department of Health, are a key resource to building and sustaining community resiliency," said Daniel Stapleton, public health director.
The local project will focus on establishing more "Stop the Bleed" train-the-trainers in Niagara County, as well as providing "Stop the Bleed" training to interested groups and organizations. Agencies or organizations that complete the training will receive a bleeding control pack.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "Stop the Bleed" campaign states a person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, therefore it is important to quickly stop the blood loss. Furthermore, those nearest to someone with life-threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care.
"Our local response efforts will be bolstered by ensuring onsite 'Stop the Bleed' training and supplies," said Elise Pignatora, director of public health planning and emergency preparedness.
The Niagara County Department of Health and Niagara County Medical Reserve Corps is partnering with the Erie County Department of Health and Erie County SMART Team as part of its ongoing collaborative to ensure enhanced bystander aid to trauma victims. The Niagara County Department of Health will serve as the project lead and fiduciary agent.
Agencies/organizations interested in receiving "Stop the Bleed" training, or additional information regarding this project, can contact Pignatora at 716-439-7431 or [email protected].
Those interested in becoming a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer and/or serving as a "Stop the Bleed" train-the-trainer for Niagara County can contact Francisco Meza Aguero (Niagara County Medical Reserve Corp volunteer coordinator) at 716-439-7436 or [email protected].

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