By taking a STOP THE BLEED® course, participants gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and intervene effectively. Through three simple techniques—applying direct pressure, packing a wound, or applying a tourniquet—anyone can become an immediate responder and potentially be the difference between life and death for someone who is bleeding.
Safe Chicago is a public safety program launched by Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) in partnership with the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), Chicago Police Department (CPD), and Assets, Information & Services (AIS). OEMC partnered with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) STOP THE BLEED® program to ensure the city is well-equipped for bleeding emergencies. The installation of bleeding control kits, in addition to the all-encompassing safety training program under Safe Chicago, will equip municipal employees with the safety information and resources they need to be better prepared in the event of a workplace incident and to act before help arrives.
"OEMC created Safe Chicago in coordination with our public safety partners to improve the safety of Chicago residents, city employees, and visitors by making life-saving equipment readily available at more than 550 City facilities and most recently at Navy Pier and City Colleges of Chicago locations," said Rich Guidice, OEMC Executive Director. "Our partnership with the American College of Surgeons and the STOP THE BLEED® program will increase the readiness capabilities of our great city and foster a sense of safety and emergency preparedness throughout the city."
As Chicagoans and visitors enjoy the many attractions the city has to offer, they can now be assured a kit to control bleeding is nearby. Many types of bleeding emergencies can happen at any time during activities of daily living, whether at home, on the road, or in a public place. The more people who are trained to STOP THE BLEED®, the more likely it will be that a bystander will be able to act quickly and effectively to save a life when a bleeding emergency occurs.
"STOP THE BLEED® is a simple, yet powerful tool that can empower anyone to save a life. We are proud to partner with the City of Chicago to help keep our city safe by providing training and making these lifesaving kits and knowledge more widely available and easily accessible," said Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons.
The Safe Chicago program will provide bleeding control kits at every occupied, City-owned, or leased facility. Prominent locations with kits already in place include Navy Pier, City Hall, Chicago Public Library locations, the Chicago Cultural Center, and other sites. Each kit installed in the city is equipped with the following materials:
