Committee accepts anonymous donation, approves $30,000 plan to expand Stop the Bleed kits to county schools

Portage County’s Public Safety & Emergency Management Committee voted to accept donated funds and approve a 2025 budget adjustment to expand Stop the Bleed kits countywide.

Committee members approved a resolution accepting a $15,000 donation from a donor who wished to remain anonymous and approved a $15,000 county contribution to bring the total available for kits to $30,000. The purchase will supply Stop the Bleed kits to schools and other county locations as prioritized by local administrators.

The sheriff’s office said Stevens Point launched an initial Stop the Bleed effort and the county aims to finish the program countywide. “The EMS coordinator stated that we could use additional $15,000 to the $15,000 that was already donated to make a $30,000 purchase,” the sheriff’s office reported. Staff estimated roughly 10 kits per school and a countywide total of about 230 kits.

Committee members also discussed site placement and training. EMS staff said superintendents and principals will decide where kits will be located within each building; staff will try to align kit numbers proportionally with student population when possible. Training has already been provided at Stevens Point Area Senior High and other local schools, and staff said they will coordinate additional in-service training for school personnel.

A motion to accept the donation and a separate motion to approve the budget adjustment both passed on voice votes. The resolutions instruct county staff to complete the purchase and distribution process.