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Sheriff Jared Brewer and some of his deputies show off their new medical kits. The kits were delivered by David Jardon of Sheep Dogs Impact Assistance, a group of veterans and first responders who reach out to support in disasters and support each other through Get Off the Couch programming, a volunteer and activity opportunity. Pictured are, from left to right, Sheriff Jared Brewer, Dep. Nathan Reinhart, Jardon (in truck), Dep. Steve Linville, and Blaine Hagins, another Sheep Dog member.
By Carolyn Reid
Three or four years ago, David Jardon, member of the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, went to McGoffin County in Eastern Kentucky to help with flood relief. While he was there, he asked a sheriff's deputy where his medical kit was. That was when Jardon learned most small county sheriff's departments cannot afford to have a basic medical kit, let alone one that can deal with larger trauma these officers may experience.
Jardon sprang into action, and as of Monday, May 15, the Pendleton County Sheriff's Department benefited from his response by getting their own set of kits. Free.
Jardon's dream got off to a rocky start. His goal was to fundraise in order to get the kits, and then Covid hit, stopping many fundraising efforts. When Gary Bossart, a paramedic, got involved with the Sheep Dogs, he got the Kentucky Colonels involved, too. They decided to focus on areas with low population centers--places like Pendleton County--to provide the kits that would include day-to-day items such as hand sanitizer and wipes, and more advanced products such as compression bandages, tourniquets, and other more specialized item that be used in a worst-case scenario. All the items are labeled and will be kept in the same area of the vehicle in order that each officer knows where to go in case of trouble.
The packs can be used for the officers themselves or for those they come upon who are in an emergency.
The officers also keep parts of the kits on their belts to have at the ready.
Sheriff Brewer and staff were more than pleased with the donation, and the kits are now housed in their vehicles.
The Gary Sinise Foundation also played a role in making the donations possible.