Authorities in Lake County are offering a new program that could help save lives during a mass shooting.

  • Lake County program teaches people how to treat bleeding
  • Class teaches techniques in helping in emergency situations
  • Call sheriff's office to schedule class: 352-326-8108

Bill Hilchey is a volunteer for the Lake County Sheriff's Office for the Citizens on Patrol, or COPS, program.

He said about a month ago, he started a new program through the sheriff's office called "Stop The Bleed."

"We did have some people out in Las Vegas during that shooting. We had some bystanders in the crowd that had some training, and they were able to save the lives of some of the victims out in Las Vegas simply because they had some training," Hilchey said.

The 1.5 hour class uses simulators to teach people how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and how to treat it.

Hilchey said he teaches techniques in a way that people can step in and help during an emergency situation, like the Parkland school shooting.

"We're hoping school administrators, boards of education, superintendents see the value of this, and they can offer an in-service training to their employees," he said.

The program was developed by the Department of Homeland Security and the American College of Surgeons.

The classes are free and open to the public.

If you'd like to schedule a class, you can call the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 352-326-8108.