For the second time in six weeks, the Killingworth Ambulance Association will conduct a “Stop the Bleed” class.  The course is scheduled for Saturday, Sept.24, at the KAA’s Route 81 headquarters.

It will begin at noon, is free and is open to persons 12 years and older. However, all those attending are required to wear masks and urged to complete RSVP forms that can be found here: (RSVP – Killingworth Ambulance Association).

“Stop the Bleed” is a nationwide awareness campaign (STOP THE BLEED – Save a Life | Stop The Bleed) launched in 2015 by the White House and Department of Homeland Security. It is designed to empower bystanders with the training necessary to deal with traumatic events and emergency bleeding situations before help arrives.

The KAA conducted several “STB” classes annually until the COVID pandemic emerged in 2020. Now it’s back, with its first class of this calendar year held Aug. 13 with 14 students.

The value of the course was underscored in October, 2019, when a state trooper responding to an accident at Middletown’s Vinal Technical High School implemented a “Stop the Bleed” kit to treat what was termed “a catastrophic injury” that involved profuse bleeding.

Officials later said quick thinking by the state trooper may have saved the victim’s life.

The KAA first offered “Stop the Bleed” classes in July, 2017, making Killingworth the first Connecticut town to have its citizens certified.  Since then, it has conducted 36 classes and had “Stop the Bleed” stations” installed at the Killingworth Public Library and Town Hall.

For more information, contact the Killingworth Ambulance Association at (860) 663-2450.

If you haven’t registered for the Killingworth Ambulance Association’s upcoming EMT class, don’t worry. You still have time.

You just don’t have much of it.

The course will begin Monday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. at the KAA’s Route 81 headquarters and is expected to run approximately three-and-half months. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-10 p.m. and five Saturdays from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and protective facemasks are not required.

Instruction will include CPR, patient assessment and treatment, with the course led by Mike and Marguerite Haaga. Both are EMTs and KAA board members and have taught the class for over 20 years.

However, the last time they completed an EMT course was in the winter and spring of 2020.  Originally scheduled for September, 2019, the class was postponed because of low enrollment and resumed in January of the following year.

Despite extraordinary circumstances that included protective facemasks, social distancing and one student who attended from Idaho via Zoom, the class was a success. Ten individuals participated, and eight became certified EMTs – including six who joined the Killingworth Ambulance Association.

COVID canceled the 2020 fall program, and a shortage of students erased last autumn’s course.

The class is six college credits and highly recommended for persons interested in pursuing medical careers.

“Not only is it a chance to help out the community,” said Marguerite Haaga, “it’s a good step toward something in the science, medical and nursing fields.”

For more information, please contact the Killingworth Ambulance Association at (860) 663-2450.