Nashville schools OK teacher backpacks with emergency medical supplies

Jun 05, 2023

Thousands of backpacks with emergency supplies like tourniquets, gloves and trauma dressings will be distributed across Metro Nashville Public Schools this fall.

The MNPS board approved the purchase of 3,300 of the bags, known as "Complete Shelter in Place Emergency Preparedness Backpacks," during a meeting Tuesday. They're designed to help in a variety of emergency situations, including a school shooting, natural disasters or power outages.

The bags include medical supplies, along with things like water pouches, blankets, ponchos, flashlights and phone chargers. They also include playing cards, presumably to distract or comfort those sheltering in place.

MNPS Student Health Services is working out a plan with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to train teachers on how to use the contents of the backpacks. They will be distributed to as many classrooms as possible. The board earmarked up to $427,905 for the packs, which will be provided by School Health Corporation and funded through federal grant money.

Here's a list of what each pack includes.