The Spokane Police Department is improving their life saving skills

April 2, 2021, 5:45 p.m.

Esther Bower

Posted: Apr 2, 2021 at 5:45 pm

Updated: April 2, 2021, 6:19 p.m.

SPOKANE, Washington. – The Spokane Police Department took some officers off the street today to practice skills that will help them save more lives.

The police are often the first to be on the scene in the event of a medical emergency. They tend to arrive faster than fire and ambulance services, which is why their role in saving lives is vital. When it comes to deadly events, every minute counts.

“It’s incredibly important, especially with trauma,” said Paul Buchmann, an officer with the Spokane Police Department. “Every second counts.”

Friday’s training focused primarily on CPR, AED, and trauma treatment. Brushing up on these skills will make officials feel more prepared and calmer when real events occur.

“It only gives us more confidence when we respond to calls that we can handle anything, whether it’s a crime, a victim or someone in need of medical attention,” said Erin Blessing, a non-commissioned officer for the Spokane Police department.

About 50 officers were in training on Friday. These training courses take place four times a year and cover a wide range of topics. Thorough training is something the department invests heavily in to keep its officials updated on best practices in the field.

“We train so much. It’s just a very well functioning police department, ”said Blessing. “As officers, it only gives us more to offer to the public.”