BEXAR COUNTY, Texas \u2013 When law enforcement officers respond to active shooter situations, major crashes, natural disasters or other emergencies, having the right medical equipment can mean the difference between life and death.<\/p>\n
This is the mission behind COPS Direct, a nonprofit organization that provides lifesaving medical gear to law enforcement agencies, first responders and volunteers across Texas and the country. <\/p>\n
Founded in 2016 by Aaron Negherbon, COPS Direct works to ensure officers have access to critical medical equipment \u2014 especially when agencies may face budget limitations or outdated supplies.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission is to enable cops to save lives, whether it\u2019s a civilian life or a fellow officer\u2019s life when bad things happen,\u201d Negherbon said.<\/p>\n
KSAT recently met with Negherbon at The Ranch, a tactical training facility near Dilley, where he discussed the organization\u2019s efforts to prepare officers for emergencies before disaster strikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to be prepared for when the next thing happens as opposed to talking about it after the fact,\u201d Negherbon said. \u201cWhen cops know that they\u2019ve got the stuff they need to do it, that really empowers them to do more than just wield a gun and a baton.\u201d<\/p>\n
The organization provides equipment ranging from mass casualty response kits to trauma bags and tourniquets. Agencies in need can contact COPS Direct for assistance when funding shortfalls prevent them from purchasing equipment on their own.<\/p>\n
Negherbon said helping Texas agencies remains a top priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a Texas agency calls, everything else stops. We make sure that one gets covered,\u201d Negherbon said. \u201cWe just did the Bexar County SWAT team because they had no medical equipment with their teams. We outfitted all the SWAT operators with mass casualty stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the nonprofit\u2019s most widely distributed tools is a medical response bag designed to help officers treat multiple victims before paramedics arrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat bag there can literally enable a law enforcement officer to save 16 lives in one bag just by virtue of its contents,\u201d Negherbon said.<\/p>\n
The organization has also supplied tourniquets and other emergency medical equipment during disaster recovery efforts.<\/p>\n