C.O. first responders prepare for the unthinkable

In light of the recent string of mass shootings, NewsChannel 21 spent Thursday talking with Central Oregon first responders and asked how they’re prepared to respond to such an event.

Crews with the Bend Fire Department are equipped with tailor-made trauma kits. They’re designed to respond to a large number of victims who have potentially been shot. The kits have tourniquets, specialized gauze and emergency combat bandages.

Petar Hossick, the agency’s EMS training captain, said getting victims stable is their first priority.

“In the field is only a temporizing measure,” he said. “We need to get them to the people who can actually fix the holes. So the more time we spend on the scene, the more time they’re not with a surgeon. So as quick as we can get them out of there, we try to move them to the hospital.”

Hossick also said one of the most important things for you to know is that the fire department does regular training with other agencies, so they are all prepared to work together.

Bend police Lt. Clint Burleigh said their first priority when they arrive on scene is to stop the threat. He also said in situations like mass shootings, they work and train with the fire department, the hospital and other community partners.

They also have incident command systems and prepare people to be flown out if necessary.

Burleigh said they hope a situation like the ones seen around the country never happens here, but there’s one very important point for people to be aware of.

“Just understand that law enforcement and fire are training on a regular basis — that if one of these things happens to happen in our county that we are prepared and going to do the best we can to resolve the situation quickly.”

Each member of the police department does have a tourniquet and a first aid kit on their vest, to be able to help a victim if needed.

Sgt. William Bailey with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said each patrol vehicle is equipped with a medical kit, in case they’re the first on scene and need to provide first aid, but the most important preparation they do is to train with other agencies. He also said there’s some added special training.

“The sheriff’s office has its own SWAT team, and those deputies receive all that specialized and additional training and tools that they use for the team,” he said. “And they also take that (training) with them onto their patrol shifts.

“And so those deputies may be the first person arriving on a scene, and they can team up with other first responders to get in, to stop the threat, and then to provide first aid and start getting people the medical attention they might need.”

The most important thing each agency told us is that they train together several times a year, so they’re better prepared for any situation that may arise in Central Oregon.