An Omaha firefighter unveiled his initiative to save lives during times of mass casualty or active shooter situations in the area.
Dustin Talacko is bringing "Bleeding and Shock Kits" to 24 emergency responder vehicles, complete with pressure dressings, tourniquets, decompression needles, and other devices.
For Talacko, the need was obvious, as blood loss contributed to rising death tolls in mass casualty situations.
"Lifesaving pieces of equipment were seen in the Las Vegas shooting that saved multiple lives and are definitely needed on major catastrophes," he said. "With the increase of mass casualty incidents and active shooter situations across the country, I felt an obligation as a servant of our community to prepare for a larger type of incident."
Local doctors from area hospitals support his mission. Dr. Eric Ernest from the University of Nebraska Medical Center says educating the public on ways to stop blood loss can prevent a number of deaths in mass crisis situations.
"If you look at the previous type mass casualty events, usually most lives lost is from some kind of bleed on the peripheral or a limb, either by gunshot or other shrapnel type device," he said.
Hank Hansen's arm was severed while he worked as a mechanic in 2015. The Omaha man didn't know it at the time, but he saved his own life by asking a good samaritan to tie a makeshift tourniquet around his arm.
"I lost my arm, but I'm still alive," Hansen said. "If he had not done that, I may have been lucky to last 5 minutes."
Talacko is hoping to raise $25,000 for more kits by the time of the College World Series. To make a donation, text OFDKITS to 91999 or visit firstrespondersomaha.org.
