By ADAM ATKINSON
North Country Now

CANTON -- Canton village police are more prepared for an active shooter situation thanks to a recent volunteer effort.

Canton Rescue members and president Joyce Dalton, along with the fire department, provided the police with “go-bags” for each patrol vehicle and the school resource officer at Canton High School, said Police Chief James Santimaw.

“Each ‘go-bag’ contains scissors, and multiple tourniquets, blood clot kits, gauze, etc. The kits are kept in each Canton Police car and our School Resource Officer has one at her disposal as well,” said the chief.

The bags were developed as a result of a multi-discipline training class provided by the New York State Police, titled "Medical Considerations for Active Shooter Events," held at the Canton Fire and Rescue Department in 2017.

The class, aimed at law enforcement, fire and rescue, addressed the need for all first-responders to be more prepared for these tactically specific events, said the chief.

"Go-bags" were recommended for law enforcement to carry as they respond to active shooter events so they have the tools necessary to provide first aid until the scene is safe enough for medical personnel to enter the scene, Santimaw said.

Santimaw publicly thanked the Canton Rescue and Fire Department and Mrs. Dalton for the bags at a recent village board meeting.

“These go-bags have been positioned at certain places in the community for something that hopefully never happens and they never get used. But we like to be prepared,” said Mayor Dalton, addressing the board.

“The police department is well equipped, the school is well equipped and the squads are well equipped. So we’re prepared,” the mayor said.