With teachers returning to their classrooms this week, as part of the JACOB Kit program and in partnership with the Beaufort County School District, Beaufort County fire departments plan to meet with teachers to refresh them on this student safety program and aim to expand the program into new schools.
Last year, fire departments in Beaufort County launched the JACOB Kit program for local schools. The program is named after 6-year-old Jacob Hall of Townville, S.C., who died from wounds sustained in a school shooting in 2016. The program involves placing bleeding control kits in every classroom and training teachers in techniques on how to stop critical bleeding. In preparation for the new school year, before students arrive, firefighters will refresh teachers on the JACOB Kit program and on bleeding control techniques, as well as expand the program into two new schools in Beaufort County.
Lady’s Island/St Helena Fire District continues to seek funding to expand their program, which they have implemented in St. Peters and Coosa elementary schools. The City of Beaufort-Town of Port Royal Fire Department is working in conjunction with all emergency services partners to ensure all aspects of emergency response, including that of school staff with the use of bleeding control kits, are preparing for any type of incident within the schools of their jurisdiction.
Beginning this school year, the JACOB Kit program will be implemented in nine schools in Beaufort County. In addition to Beaufort County, the Ridgeland Fire Department in Jasper County plans to implement the JACOB Kit program at Thomas Heyward Academy and Step of Faith Christian Academy. To date, the program has been funded largely through citizen donations and grants. Citizens wishing to donate to the program can contact their local fire department or email safetyed@burtonfd.org.
Beaufort County fire officials say the JACOB kit program is critical to saving lives by providing teachers the training and resources to bridge the time gap between a child being wounded and professional medical response.
