ODESSA, Texas (BIG2/FOX24) – Ector County ISD is getting ahead on implementing a new law that is to take effect no later than January 1, 2020.

“Stop the Bleed is a national campaign,” said Medical Center Hospital’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Amanda Everett. “It actually started several years back. It’s just now come to the forefront, because of the most recent events. And then, Texas passing that legislation.”

Along with mandatory items campuses must have, the law requires Texas school districts to have emergency protocols, and equipments, in place in the event of a traumatic injury. “Every I.S.D campus in Texas has to have a ‘Stop the Bleed’ kit and several other components in which, JRAC has now made boxes and, we’re putting them on all the campuses here in our region.”

The law also requires any person who might be “reasonably expected” to take action in dire situations to be trained annually. This includes teachers, school nurses, and even students.

“Inform the teachers on how to stop the bleed, the use of a tourniquet and how to pack a wound. Unfortunately in today’s society, we do have events that these skills are needed,” said Everett.

Everett says the chance to save a life comes down to the minutes. Their hope is to educate as many civilians to always be on stand-by.

“In the moment, everything is pretty hectic, things are going pretty fast,” explained Trauma Outreach and Injure Prevention, Sirena Watts. “That’s why one of the reasons why we looked into doing this program is just to make sure that teachers and the staff have the confidence.”

“The teachers are people that buy groceries in our grocery store, they drive down our roads, so the more people that we can touch and train, the better off all of our community is,” added Everett.

For more information and a list of available classes: https://www.bleedingcontrol.org/