SRM Concrete donates $20,000 for ‘Stop the Bleed’ kits

September 17, 2024

By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools

In an emergency, it’s better to be well-equipped and well-trained than to be caught unprepared. 

Over the past year, Rutherford County Schools has made a renewed effort to train all employees to be prepared for crisis situations and emergency response. Employees have received training from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County first responders, and a private company named Defend Systems. 

As part of that training, Rutherford County Schools is seeking financial donations to provide all schools with “Stop the Bleed” kits, a compact kit full of supplies to treat emergency, life-threatening injuries caused by sudden bleeding. 

SRM Concrete, based in Smyrna, has made a generous donation of $20,000 to the school district to help kick off the donation effort. The much-needed funds will be used to purchase chest seals that will be housed with the school nursing staff, Stop the Bleed Kits for the AED stations at schools and signage to identify where the kits are stored. 

“A person who is bleeding can die of blood loss within minutes, therefore it is important to have the tools needed to stop the bleeding, such as Stop the Bleed Kits,” said Shanna Groom, health services coordinator for Rutherford County Schools. “These kits contain CAT Tourniquets, gauze, bandages, and gloves. The best locations for these kits are publicly accessible, easy to find, and in places where they’re most likely to be needed.”

Groom added: “By adding Stop the Bleed kits to AED cabinets in our district we are increasing our ability to respond in an emergency. We are so thankful that SRM is partnering with us in this life-saving program.”

Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan echoed the gratitude. 

“We want to ensure our schools are safe learning environments for our students and employees, and so our School Board has invested heavily in security equipment, personnel, and training,” Director Sullivan said. “We greatly appreciate SRM setting the example by contributing so generously in our protocols, and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”

Those interested in contributing to Rutherford County Schools’ safety efforts should contact the district at 615-893-5812. 

PHOTO

From left, Lora Smith, SRM Concrete chief marketing officer; Shanna Groom, coordinator of Health Services for Rutherford County Schools, and Jeff Hollingshead, chief executive officer of SRM Concrete.