HURLBURT FIELD, Fl -- In the present era, schools across the nation have been affected by heinous crimes. In response, one Airman is dedicating their time by imparting valuable knowledge with the goal of making a positive impact in at least one person's life.
Tech Sgt. Alyssa Poyner, a 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron lead firefighter, shares her knowledge of Tactical Combat Casualty Care to approximately 375 instructors and faculty members in the Santa Rosa School District.
TCCC was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, Joint Trauma System and Defense Health Agency to teach evidence-based, life-saving techniques and strategies for providing the best trauma care available on the battlefield. Whether it is in a war zone or a classroom, TCCC can save lives in the same practical ways.
Initially designed for the battlefield, TCCC has proven to be a versatile and indispensable resource applicable in diverse settings, including schools.
“My intention with this program and training is to bring awareness and preparedness to
the faculty members of the schools,” said Poyner. “By providing this training and these skills, we have better prepared our schools for the worst situations.”
In order to kick-off the training, Poyner had to first coordinate between the Hurlburt School liaison, the Safety coordinator for the school district, the principals of the schools and all the instructors. After completing all the necessary preparations, six schools engaged in the program.
The information taught to the participants can be used in real-world scenarios, making the training invaluable.
“The more awareness we bring, the more lives we can [potentially] save,” said Poyner.
Poyner's enthusiasm for medical and emergency scenarios is the driving force behind her desire to train instructors and faculty members throughout the Santa Rosa School District. She remarked that the information and skills learned are easy to retain and being equipped with those tools can make a big difference in the outcome of a life-threatening event.
“This is important to me because everyone should be aware and know how to handle [life-threatening] situations,” said Poyner. “No matter where you are, these types of situations can happen.”
In addition to all six of the initial schools requesting Poyner and her team return to provide additional training, the schools also requested assistance in the medical supply selection process. Having Poyner and her team provide guidance on what supplies to order not only allows for increased preparedness, but also helps each school utilize their medical supply budget properly.
“Relationships like this deepen the connection and bridge the gap for our mission and the community in which we serve,” said Lacey Allen, Regional School Liaison Program specialist. “I am encouraged and excited about the growth of this partnership and the out of the box thinking to connect beyond the fence line.”
Applying TCCC training in schools reinforces the dedication to fostering safer environments and highlights the adaptability of military training throughout the community.
Having shared crucial insights with numerous instructors and faculty members already, Poyner is committed to advancing the training they’ve received in addition to increasing the number of school participants.
“I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity to grow our relationship with the schools and to provide them with more knowledge to protect our children,” said Poyner.