County to Purchase Trauma Kits For Schools

HUNTINGDON (November 7) — Recently, Carroll County was awarded a $50,000 Three-Star Grant from the State of Tennessee. In applying for the grant, Carroll County Officials decided to use the grant money to help in the needs of the local schools by purchasing trauma kit backpacks. On Thursday, the Carroll County Purchasing Committee awarded a bid of $50,000 for 300 to JC Educational and Office Supply.

Four bids were received. Other bids came from School Health Corporation for 375 packs for $49,978; Move Prepared LLC for 584 packs at $49,983; and Really Good Stuff for 950 packs valued at $55,550. The bids from School Health Corporation and JC Educational were discussed further as the committee felt those were the better packs as the other bids were packs that were more or less glorified first aid bags.

Heather Adams from JC Educational was on hand to discuss the purpose and items included. Adams stated the bags were more than just first aid bags as they were designed for critical first aid. Along with basic first aid items and burn care packs, each pack has items to aid in bleeding control if an individual needs care following a shooting or stabbing.

In questions, Commissioner Lana Suite asked if the items listed could be changed out. Adams replied that the way the packs are designed they come prepacked and changes are not available but additional items could be added. Commissioner Jason R. Martin addressed County Mayor Joseph Butler asking if Carroll County would be responsible for replenishing the backpacks once items were used. Butler stated once the packs are delivered then it is the school or the school system’s responsibility for upkeep.

Martin and County Trustee Paul Bolen stated while School Health Corp was the better deal, they preferred to go with JC Educational on the bid because they were local. Martin stated that by shopping locally, while not necessarily spending the funds in Carroll County, they were keeping the money in the tri-county area. He also personally vouched for JC Educational through his Rotary Club connections with owner Dan Jackson.

Mayor Butler stated that there are approximately 400 classrooms in Carroll County including those at the County’s Vocational School. While every classroom will not receive a grab-and-go trauma pack it will help the schools by helping offset the cost.

The Purchasing Committee on a unanimous vote of 5-0 agreed to accept the bid from JC Educational.

In other business, the Purchasing Committee agreed to a bid from 45 Auto Truck Salvage of Milan to purchase surplus fire equipment. The $12,300 bid was for end-of-life equipment that was stored at the County Highway Department. The 22 items are to be picked up and hauled away by the bid winner.

The last item on the agenda was the approval to use Community Development Partners as the administrative agency for Carroll County’s annual application for a federally backed Community Block Development Grant (CBDG).