The Hartford Consensus Group Releases Recommendations for Response During an Active Shooter Event

Seattle, WA, October 29, 2015 --(PR.com)-- In early September the Hartford Consensus Group released recommendations for responding to active shooter/active assailant events, and steps which could be implemented to improve the outcomes of such an event. James (Jim) Manson, Vice President of Global Strategy at Cascade Training Centers, coauthored the article “The Hartford Consensus on Active Shooters: Implementing the Continuum of Prehospital Trauma Response.” Jim's experience as an EMS Chief, and having dealt with some of the nation's most high profile active shooter events, brings real world experience to this important paradigm shift in how public safety entities and the general public can work together to save lives.

With the threat of active shooter/ active assailant events becoming more prevalent in our country, “The Hartford Consensus group met to develop strategies what would ultimately lead to policies aimed at improving survival from active shooter/active assailant events” (Pons et al., 2015). The group stated there is a need for tiered educational programs which teach not only police officers and first responder EMS, but also the lay bystander hemorrhage control and care for wounded victims.

“…experience has demonstrated the benefit and safety of using a proper tourniquet to control extremity hemorrhage and the value of deploying tourniquets… use of tourniquets should expand beyond the civilian caregiver to all public safety responders.” (Pons et al., 2015)

Based on the recommendations by the group, rescue protocols are changing from the old way of a “no risk entry,” where EMS would wait for an all clear from officers to a “managed risk entry,” where EMS can enter clear and secure corridors to begin emergency treatment procedures. The EMS Education Department of the Denver Paramedic Division created two different courses; one how to respond during casualty care aimed at law enforcement and first responders (TCC-LEFR), and the other to teach bleeding control is aimed at lay bystanders (BCon).

“…we believe providing this training to the lay bystander will (also benefit) other incidents resulting in injury and hemorrhage. We believe that hemorrhage control should become the trauma equivalent of the citizen CPR” (Pons et al., 2015). The Hartford Consensus group stated that learning these skills could save lives in any emergency situation.

Cascade Training Centers is developing a BCon (Bleed Control of the Injured) education class to offer for lay bystanders who want to be prepared. Though not currently available through their website, the class can be offered to those who are interested in educating their teams on life-saving skills for any trauma situation.

References
Pons, P., Jerome, J., McMullen, J., Manson, J., Robinson, J., & Chapleau, W. (2015). The Hartford Consensus on Active Shooters: Implementing the Continuum of Prehospital Trauma Response. The Journal Of Emergency Medicine. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2015.09.013