Within the span of a week, 34 people have been killed in three active shooter events; 22 in El Paso, Texas; 10 in Dayton, Ohio; and three in Gilroy, California. Learn more about what EMS agencies should take away from these tragedies with expert analysis from industry leaders.
- Is MCI response part of your community celebration planning? Every community has a festival, fair or event that could be a target for violence, like the Gilroy Garlic Festival
- Rapid Response: Do we need a tactical military medicine approach to MCI response? Preparation, practice, standardization and community involvement will enable your EMS agency to act quickly
- The evolving threat of active shooters: How EMS needs to change its approach. First responders need to adapt their preparation and response from the rescue task force model
By News Staff
EL PASO, Texas — Two therapy dogs arrived in the city to help first responders and victims cope with the aftermath of the mass shooting that left 22 dead and dozens injured.
According to the Huffpost, the therapy dogs, Rudy and Channel, traveled by Southwest Airlines from San Antonio, Texas, to deliver “unconditional love and support” to first responders and victims affected by the mass shooting.
Rudy and Channel will visit first responder stations and hospitals throughout the city and give the emotional assistance needed after the tragic incident.
“The rate of suicides by first responders – firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement – has escalated from one every seven days to one a day,” a spokesperson for Methodist Health Systems said. “These dogs can reach places in the heart no human can.”
Rudy and Chanel regularly visit patients in Methodist Healthcare San Antonio hospitals.