Aldermen: CPD Should Make Quick-Clotting Gauze Available to Officers
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Fourteenth Ward Alderman, Edward M. Burke and 11th Ward Alderman Patrick Thompson held a news conference, on Wednesday to urge CPD to make quick-clotting gauze available to officers.
The aldermen were inspired when two Chicago Police officers saved a life of a gunshot victim by using the gauze.
The quick-clotting gauze can help officers stop bleeding in critical situations, in instances, such as shootings.
"Quick-clot combat gauze is easy to use," Ald. Burke said. "It can help people survive traumatic bleeding including first-responders who may be injured in the line of duty."
The officers purchased the quick-clot combat gauze kit themselves. Each kit costs over $100.
"Alderman Thompson and I will introduce a resolution at our next council meeting, on the 14th, urging the police department to make hemostatic devices, such as quick-clot combat gauze, a standard issue for all Chicago police officers," Ald. Burke said.
New York city plans to offer its officers with the kits, which would help wounded first-responsers too, Ald. Burke said.