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Jason Mosher

Sheriff's Journal

Vernon County Sheriff.

Training for the unthinkable is not always so easy

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Last week the Vernon County Sheriff's Office took part in a large active shooter training event held in Nevada. The training was very beneficial not only to first responders, but also to the teachers and school officials. While reading an online article about the event, I noticed someone had left a comment that the Sheriff's Office was using "IFAK's" and was attempting to be like the military. After that comment I had a few people ask me what an "IFAK" even was so I thought I would take this opportunity to explain. An "IFAK" is a small camo bag that can be seen in the photos on the back of each deputy in the Special Response Team, and they did come from the military. An IFAK is an "Individual First Aid Kit." The military had a surplus of them and offered some to the Sheriff's Office so that each deputy could have one to keep in their cars or on them when needed. The first aid kits contain items like tourniquets, quick clot bandages, and other items that may be needed in an emergency. All of the members of the Special Response Team attend the Joplin Police Departments SWAT School, and just like the training goal in this school, the primary mission of our Special Response Team is to save lives. Saving a life could be neutralizing a threat or dangerous person, but it can also be simply rendering first aid to someone in need. All deputies receive first responder training through the police academy and we have also done some training locally through agencies like VCAD who help us keep deputies recertified in first aid and CPR. I know there is some debate with military items being issued to law enforcement, but if the U.S. Military wants to donate medical kits that can be carried on each deputy then we will gladly take them, and we will use them to serve our citizens.

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