Suburban first responders receive military grade trauma kits in case of mass shooting

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Several suburban communities are now better prepared to handle a mass shooting, if one happens, because first responders have received military grade emergency trauma kits.

Hopefully, though, they will never need them.

It happened in Paris, and then it happened in San Bernardino. Mass shootings by gunmen bent on killing victims with high powered weapons.

“It’s a changing world and I can’t change it. So we better be able to deal with the aftermath the best way we can,” said Lt. Anthony Gorski.

It’s the emergency responders who see the carnage first, but they don't always have what they need to treat victims; until now.

In the suburbs, bags were passed out to those who need them most. In them are items not seen in a typical medical bag: the gauze, QuikClot, and even blankets to help someone in shock.

There were different colored bags for different levels of skill level.  They each come with a tourniquet, so you don't have to use a rope or a belt to prevent someone from bleeding out.

Each trauma bag is filled with the same items used in a war zone.

"Actually the QuikClot will help paramedics stop the bleeding immediately. It’s military grade,” said Carpentersville Fire Chief John Skillman.

"Using a pillow or a blanket or cotton to stop the blood doesn't work like this quick clot,” said West Dundee Fire Chief John Fahey.

“I hope we never have to use them.  But if we do, we're gonna be prepared,” said Nick Salzman of Judson University.

A hundred bags were handed out Friday with each user committing to special training, including those at Judson University.

Better to have one and never need one, than to need one and not have one.