The Killingworth Ambulance Association will hold its first “Stop the Bleed” class of 2022 on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the KAA’s Route 81 headquarters. The course, which begins at noon, is free and open to all persons 12 years and older.

The class typically lasts one to one-and-a-half hours, with participants required to wear protective facemasks. All those interested are asked to complete RSVP forms available here ( RSVP – Killingworth Ambulance Association) or in the “Classes” section on this site’s pull-down menu.

“Stop the Bleed” is a nationwide awareness campaign (STOP THE BLEED – Save a Life | Stop The Bleed) launched in 2015 by the White House and Department of Homeland Security. It is designed to empower bystanders with the training to deal with traumatic events and emergency bleeding situations before help arrives.

Its value was underscored in October, 2019, when a state trooper responding to an accident at Middletown’s Vinal Technical High School implemented a “Stop the Bleed” kit to treat what was called “a catastrophic injury” involving profuse bleeding.

Officials later said quick thinking by the state trooper may have saved the victim’s life.

The KAA first offered “Stop the Bleed” classes in July, 2017, making Killingworth the first Connecticut town to have its citizens certified.  Since then, it has conducted 23 classes and had “Stop the Bleed” stations” installed at the Killingworth Public Library and Town Hall.

For more information, please contact the Killingworth Ambulance Association at (860) 663-2450.

Maybe it’s the fourth time that’s a charm.

For the fourth time in the past four years, the Killingworth Ambulance Association has plans to offer an EMT class in the fall. That’s the good news. The bad is that the last three attempts at autumn instruction had to be canceled or postponed.

Nevertheless, instructors Mike and Marguerite Haaga will try it again this fall, with the first class beginning Monday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. at the KAA’s Route 81 headquarters. The course is expected to last three-and-a-half months, with instruction on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-10 p.m. and five Saturdays from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Mike Haaga is the KAA’s Chief of Service. Marguerite Haaga is its Vice President. Both are EMTs and have taught the class for over two decades. Instruction will include CPR, patient assessment and treatment. Protective facemasks are not required.

The last time the Haagas completed an EMT course was in the winter and spring of 2020. Originally scheduled to be held in September, 2019, it was postponed because of low enrollment and resumed in January of the following year.

Despite extraordinary circumstances that included protective facemasks, social distancing and one student who attended from Idaho via Zoom, the class was a success. Ten individuals participated, and eight became certified EMTs – including six who joined the Killingworth Ambulance Association.

COVID canceled the 2020 fall program, while a shortage of students erased last autumn’s course.

The class is six college credits and highly recommended for persons interested in pursuing medical careers.

“Not only is it a chance to help out the community,” said Marguerite Haaga, “it’s a good step toward something in the science, medical and nursing fields.”

For more information, please contact the Killingworth Ambulance Association at (860) 663-2450.