Pewaukee police equipped with critical care packs for mass casualty situations

WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Pewaukee Police Department now has critical care packs on hand should a mass shooting happen in the area.

The trauma pack is filled with a variety of medical supplies, including tourniquets, chest seals, and blood clotting gauze -- all needed for treating severe injuries.

It’s in response to mass shootings that have occurred across the country, from Las Vegas to Parkland, and most recently Dayton.

"All of those lives could've been saved if they had trauma kits on hand,” said Pewaukee Sgt. Nathan Wright. “We just wanted to make sure we were prepared for anything that could happen.”

The pack can treat up to 20 victims. The department developed their own version with the Pewaukee Fire Department.

"Safety is of our upmost concern, luckily we've never had to use one of these,” said Police Chief Timothy Heier. "This is what we do, this is how we save lives."

The pack can also be used for treating traumatic wounds caused by accidents and natural disasters.

By next year, the Pewaukee Police Department plans to have three trauma kits.

The organizations, Positively Pewaukee and the Pewaukee Kiwanis Club helped fund the packs.

The cost for each one is about $1,600 dollars.