WILSON COUNTY, Texas — When Stephen Willeford helped stop an active shooter at his town's church in Sutherland Springs he learned that seconds matter.
That's why Willeford worked with Wilson county officials to get every law enforcement unit in different agencies across the county a Trauma Kit. 97 kits were handed out to these agencies across the county at a fundraiser on Saturday.
Trauma Kits are two paramedic-grade medical bags equipped with everything a police officer needs to help save people in a range of emergencies. The contents include Israeli Bandaging, tourniquets and more medical grade life saving equipment.
"The kits are going to help them save lives before the paramedic can get to them," Wilson county Henry Whitman said.
Whitman and Wilson county sheriff Jim Stewart said police don't normally have medical grade life saving equipment on them but most of the time they are the first to the scene. With these kinds of tools police will be able to save lives as soon as they get to the scene.
The way the program through the nonprofit "Back the Badge U.S.A." works is each county or agency raises money for the next agency or county to get Trauma Kits of their own. Today Wilson county raised money for the next county to receive their kits.
About the nonprofit "Back the Badge USA" that makes these bags:
In 2015, Camarillo businessman, Darrin Parrent consulted with former Thousand Oaks Mayor and ex-Ventura County Assistant Sheriff, Dennis Gillette. The two spoke on the idea of creating an organization to honor first-responders for the roles they play. By late 2017 the official non-profit status was granted for Back the Badge U.S.A.
Back the Badge U.S.A. was formed to support first-responders in many ways. First, to highlight the importance of first-responder good works performed for the benefit of society.
Second, to support the first-responder community by providing scholarships and education to those wishing to become first-responders.
Finally, by donating paramedic-grade medical/trauma bags to police/fire department that lack such equipment. Typically, these donations are made to police and fire departments in smaller towns and more rural areas where the nearest Hospital/ER is 10+ miles away.
Back the Badge U.S.A. is a 100% volunteer organization, originally founded in Ventura County, California, Back the Badge U.S.A. operates throughout the United States.
Click here to donate to their cause.