By Austin Johnson
The Daily Independent
BOYD COUNTY, Ky. — Emergency Medical Technicians of Boyd County EMS are fully equipped for active shooter situations all thanks to a near-$16,000 donation from Marathon Petroleum.
The refining energy company based in Catlettsburg presented a $15,838 check Monday afternoon that provided funds for nine sets of ballistic helmets, vests and gas masks.
Marathon representatives present a $15,838 check to Boyd EMS Monday to cover the costs of multiple ballistic helmets, vests and gas masks.
Brent Turvey, Boyd EMS Director, said the freshly added equipment will potentially be life-saving additions to their medical toolbox.
“From what we found out in the past, when there was a big event, active shooter, something to that effect, they would set up a perimeter and wait until everybody got there, then they would go in,” Turvey said. “What we found out in those situations is people were dying. Because we were waiting two and three hours to set up a perimeter to go in and get them.”
Sheila Fraley, community relations specialist of Marathon, said the gifting of the check shows the company’s commitment to partnering with communities to bring positive change.
“Marathon is committed to thriving communities and our first responders are at the top of our list. We were just happy to be able to get them the equipment needed to keep our community safe,” she said.
“Having that extra equipment goes a long way to saving lives,” she added.
Paramedics of the Boyd County EMS are considered a “tactical team” — meaning the EMTs are “trained to operate in environments with tactical SWAT teams and active shooter events,” Turvey said. The significance of the safety equipment is to be able to get responders into tactical situations to save lives, Turvey said.
“We put them through special classes to be able to operate in those environments and be safe,” he said.
“They are not good to anybody if they get hurt,” he added.
Although an active shooter situation may be rare in Boyd County, Turvey said the equipment amounts to a popular phrase: “Better safe than sorry.”
“God forbid, I hope we never have to use it in an act of an active shooter event, but with the way the world is today, that’s just not a way to think. We would rather be forward-thinking and prepared even if we don’t need it,” he said.
“Once an incident happens, you can’t go back,” he said.
Marathon is “instrumental” in bringing success to Boyd EMS, Turvey said.
“I’m incredibly grateful when our partners recognize when there is a need in the community. Partnerships like this are instrumental in us being able to accomplish our goals. We are only going to be stronger together,” he said.
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