Law Enforcement Knows “It” Can Happen Right Here at Home

Hood County Sheriff’s Office Now Armed with Life-Saving Supplies

(Granbury, TX), May 5, 2017: On April 25th, Sheriff Deeds received approval for a donation of 30 Individual First Aid Kits at the Hood County Commissioners’ meeting. The approval was unanimous.

“The donation of supplies needed to arm each Deputy with a better chance at survival, if the worst should ever happen, is priceless,” said Sheriff Deeds. “The cost savings helps our budget, but the real takeaway is that officers now have the equipment, education, and peace of mind knowing that they have access to their own Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK).”

The generous donation from Ride N Safe Medical Transport, LLC, provided each of Hood County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Patrol Division with life-saving supplies. It is the first time, Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs) have been issued. In 2016, deputies were issued tourniquets for their duty belts, however, tourniquets are not sufficient to stop massive bleeding from a traumatic injury or gunshot wound to the chest, abdomen, head or back.
Hood County Deputy #150 explains, “Each IFAK contains items that will allow a wounded officer to treat him or herself in the field prior to an emergency medical team’s arrival. And, if a fellow deputy reaches the officer first, they would have access to two (2) IFAKs to administer life-saving measures. Tourniquets are only effective when attempting to stop blood loss from a limb injury.”

Quick application of the supplies can significantly increase the odds of a deputy, or a citizen, remaining conscious longer and hopefully surviving. IFAK components include:

• Hemostatic gauze – clots blood quickly to preserve life and minimize harm due to injuries
• Modular Israeli Emergency Bandage – combat-proven, “all-in-one” first-aid device stops blood flow (serves as primary dressing, pressure applicator, secondary dressing, and closure apparatus); easy enough for an injured person to self-apply with one hand
• Chest Seal – treats penetrating chest wounds, along with securing other wounds; works despite heavy perspiration and excessive bleeding in all types of environments
• Abdominal Wound Pad – reduces excessive bleeding and decreases the possibility of wound contamination

“I am grateful that Ride N Safe, headquartered right here in Granbury, was willing to partner with us on this initiative,” states Sheriff Roger Deeds. “They were able to order from multiple vendors to supply the specific items requested which allowed us to custom-build each pouch.”

Ride N Safe’s Chief Executive Officer, Cliff Montemayor, agrees, “We were anxious to donate the supplies necessary to add another layer of protection for those committed to serving Hood County citizens. Although we hope the IFAKs will never be needed, we do know that the unthinkable has happened before in Hood County so it is best to be prepared.”

Ride N Safe (RNS) has served the non-emergency medical transportation needs of Hood County since 2007. The business started with two Hood County paramedics, armed with pagers, driving patients back and forth to the Ft. Worth hospital district. Ten years later, RNS continues to fill the growing transportation gap with a 17-vehicle fleet dispatching calls in Hood County as well as Ellis, Erath, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, and Tarrant. RNS also performs long-distance transports for anyone transitioning to and from various levels of medical care.

“Personally, I greatly appreciate this donation. I know that HCSO deputies feel a bit more secure out in the field,” said Sheriff Deeds. “The tragic loss of Deputy Lance McLean in 2013 while on duty and the growing number of shooting incidents across the country are stark reminders of the potential dangers faced by law enforcement. I am glad that life-saving supplies are within arms-reach to save the life of an officer or citizen. Hopefully we will never have the need to use the IFAKS right here at home.”

About Hood County: Hood County was formed in November 1866 by an Act of the 11th Legislature of Texas, and is named after Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood of the Confederate Army. Before settlement, the area of Hood County was home to Comanche Indians, Lipan Apaches, and Kiowa Indians, among others. Currently, Hood County embraces 425 square miles and Granbury is the county seat, named after Confederate General Hiram Granbury. To learn more, visit www.co.hood.tx.us.