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The Fire Department on Monday announced the distribution of 15 trauma kits to city schools. The backpacks were funded through a grant in conjunction with the Police and School departments.
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Fire Chief Sammons explains what's in the trauma kits.
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Police Chief Wynn says the kits are part of active shooter preparations but will be useful for any medical emergency.

MEMA Grant Puts Emergency Medical Kits in Pittsfield Schools

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Police Chief Michael Wynn, left, Fire Chief Thomas Sammons and Eric Lamoureaux, community coordinator for the Pittsfield Public Schools, at Monday's announcement. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — All city public schools will receive backpack trauma kits equipped to handle a multitude of emergency situations.
 
Fire Chief Thomas Sammons alongside Police Chief Michael Wynn and Eric Lamoureaux of the Pittsfield Public Schools announced Monday the delivery of 15 trauma kits that were secured through a Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency grant.
 
"This is a whole approach the city is taking in responding to an active shooter," Sammons said at Fire Department headquarters on Monday morning. "The Police and Fire Department have worked together on active shooter scenarios and these kits have a lot of the same items that we carry and deploy."
 
Sammons said the grant was submitted in the fall and was a joint effort between the Fire, Police, and School departments. The grant was $9,735 in total; each kit cost around $650.
 
"This is a great example of three city departments working together for the common good of our residents," the chief said. "It is unfortunate that we have to think about this but it is better to plan ahead then to not think about it." 
 
Sammons opened one of the packs that contain five sub packs containing a clot pack, quick clot dressing, pressure dressing, occlusive dressing, eyewash and a stretcher among other items to provide immediate wound care in an emergency.
 
Wynn said the kits are really active shooter kits congruent with emergency services' developing active assailant protocol. But he said the packs have a variety of uses and are more likely to be applied in a different emergency situation.
 
"The closer we can get the trauma kits to the front line, the more likely it is going to have a positive impact on the outcome," he said. "So although we are planning for the worse case ... these kits can be applied in a variety of circumstances. It doesn't matter if there is a car crash in proximity to the school or there is a laceration that occurs in one of the shops."
 
Lamoureaux said the kits would likely be delivered to the schools next week and representatives from emergency services would train the head nurse and staff on how to use them. From there, they will train medical response teams set up in each building.
 
"Many times it is the staff first-responders within the building who need to act first until fire, police, and EMS arrive," he said. "As we distribute these kits to the buildings ... the schools' medical response teams will be trained in how to use them."
 
He said he was thankful for the partnership between the schools and city first -responders and that the school has also trained staff in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and will continue to expand this training.

Tags: emergency preparedness,   first aid,   trauma,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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