The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) instructed school nurses and staff how to react in case of an active shooter medical emergency.
ASO Sergeant Todd Thomas said that the spike in mass shootings initiated the program in 2018. The program was put on hold during the pandemic and has now returned.
The program teaches the school staff how to help law enforcement, fire rescue, and medical professionals to try to save lives.
ASO and the Gainesville Police Department both have emergency physicians in their agencies, who teach the course and lectures.
The physicians supervise some scenarios and provide feedback to the nurses as they go through each scenario.
The nurses and staff are put to the test in school shooting scenarios where they address the scene and perform life-saving skills.
The nurses are exposed to scenarios that are a little disturbing, helping them to work through it and use those skills and equipment.
The 4-hour training course is given to 35 Alachua County nurses on this day.
The nurses take care of these children and help them with their health and safety and well-being.
The training certificate must be renewed every two years.
