Stop the Bleed, Pack the Bag, Ready, Set, Go!
By Office of the President | Apr 22, 2025
Act Fast: Stop the Bleed, Pack Your Bag, Stay Aware
When you hand the mic to the next generation of leaders, you get an educational, energizing, and game-changing experience—like Downstate’s Youth-Led Emergency Preparedness Day, which introduced middle and high school students to critical skills and knowledge through interactive sessions and peer-led dialogue. For many in attendance, it marked the beginning of their journey as informed advocates and future changemakers in community safety and emergency response.
As part of this year’s NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) deliverables, our Emergency Preparedness Team passed the spotlight to Brooklyn youth—and they lit up! In partnership with NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM), our Downstate Emergency Preparedness Team welcomed 50 bright, enthusiastic middle and high school students for a full-day, hands-on event. It was a day full of real-world learning, teamwork, and energy, all focused on building a new generation of leaders in safety, readiness, and community response.
Hands were flying, minds were racing, and tourniquets were tightening—in the best way possible. These students dove right into learning how to respond in active violent situations, getting hands-on with “Stop the Bleed” techniques like wound-packing and applying direct pressure. When it came time to put their skills to the test, they were on point.
In a fast-paced challenge, teams raced to apply what they learned. The top performers walked away with professional-grade bleeding control kits, but everyone left with something even more valuable: the confidence and skills to save a life.
The learning didn’t stop in the classroom—it spilled outside into real-life simulations full of action and energy. Thanks to a dynamic team effort from our University Police Department, the Office of Government Affairs & Community Relations, Volunteer Services, and the ever-enthusiastic NYPD Explorers Division, students rotated through hands-on stations that brought emergency preparedness to life.
Students rolled up their sleeves and got to work—building go-bags, mapping out home safety plans, pinpointing local flood zones, and even learning how to safely and confidently disarm suspects in a secure, hands-on environment. Adding extra inspiration to the day, NYPD Explorer Captain Jay Lonblair stopped by to share powerful stories of leadership and service rooted in his journey.
The energy in the room afterward said it all. A few students left talking about future careers in public service, and more than a few seemed ready to take what they learned and start safety drills or clubs back at their schools.
For many students, this was their first glimpse into the world of emergency preparedness, and it made a lasting impression. It was a powerful reminder that when you give young people the tools and knowledge to lead, they don’t just rise to the occasion—they bring their communities with them.
Photos from the Event
