State Departments of Health and Game, Fish and Parks Collaborate to Provide Stop the Bleed Training to Conservation Officers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Apr. 1, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Tia Kafka, DOHMedia@state.sd.us
GFP: Nick Harrington - Nick.Harrington@state.sd.us
State Departments of Health and Game, Fish and Parks Collaborate to Provide Stop the Bleed Training to Conservation Officers
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota is the first state in the nation to ensure every Conservation Officer has received "Stop the Bleed" training, setting a new standard for emergency preparedness in natural resources law enforcement. Last week, the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), partnered with trauma hospitals across the state to provide this essential education to 80 Conservation Officers.
“This is a groundbreaking achievement and has never been done before in any other state,” stated Melissa Magstadt, DOH Cabinet Secretary. “By leading this effort, we have demonstrated the state’s commitment to equipping front-line officers with the critical tools and knowledge to save lives, even in the most remote areas.”
“When emergencies happen, every second counts. Giving Conservation Officers the skills and tools to respond to traumatic injuries in the field can truly mean the difference between life and death,” said Sam Schelhaas, Law Enforcement Section Chief with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
The "Stop the Bleed" campaign, a national initiative aimed at teaching the public how to prevent death from uncontrolled bleeding, has become an essential part of emergency response training. Through this collaboration with trauma hospitals, Conservation Officers reinforced key techniques, such as applying tourniquets, packing wounds, and utilizing pressure to stop bleeding.
The 80 officers participating in the training represent a cross-section of South Dakota’s natural resources law enforcement. These officers patrol the state’s parks, public lands, and waterways and are often first on the scene in remote or rural areas where access to emergency medical care may be delayed.
Experienced trauma care professionals from the state’s leading hospitals led the hands-on training and provided instruction on how to effectively respond to severe bleeding incidents in the field. All three major health systems – Avera, Sanford, and Monument – sent trauma department leadership to support the training, investing significant resources to ensure its success. Their involvement reflects a statewide commitment to public health and safety.
This statewide training initiative was driven by guidance and curriculum developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT), a national leader in trauma care education. The course was led by Dr. Dustin Smoot, ACS COT State Vice Chair and a member of the national revision team for the most current “Stop the Bleed” version. Dr. Jenny Guido, the other ACS COT State Vice Chair from Sanford Sioux Falls, was also present for the course. Their leadership and direct involvement were instrumental to the success of this effort and should be recognized.
This collaboration between the DOH and GFP is an important step in enhancing the capabilities of South Dakota's Conservation Officers to respond to emergencies, ensuring the safety and well-being of the public. Equally important is the collaborative relationship between ACS COT and the DOH, which has laid the foundation for the ongoing success of “Stop the Bleed” initiatives across the state.
“The completion of this education and training event will continue to strengthen our emergency preparedness here in South Dakota – all the while protecting South Dakotans and those who come here to recreate. Our departments remain committed to supporting public safety and health initiatives across the state, and this inter-agency partnership with trauma hospitals is a vital part of that mission,” concluded Magstadt.
For more information on the "Stop the Bleed" initiative, please visit https://www.stopthebleed.org/ .
At the heart of the Department of Health’s mission is a simple goal: to protect and improve the health of all South Dakotans. The department is entrusted with the vital task of promoting wellness, preventing disease, and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all South Dakotans.
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Enclosed: Photos of GFP Conservation Officers receiving hands-on training from trauma care professionals.