Seconds count: Devon Energy donates ‘Stop the Bleed’ kit to save lives across McKenzie County
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
Imagine you are miles down a gravel road or a remote stretch of highway when you come across a serious accident. You dial 911, but you know that in the vast stretches of McKenzie County, it could be twenty minutes or more before the sirens reach you. In those critical moments, a person can bleed out in less than five minutes. It is this high-stakes reality that prompted a new partnership between the McKenzie County Office of Emergency Management and Devon Energy, which aims to turn bystanders into lifesavers. This week, Devon Energy officially donated a “Stop the Bleed” training kit to the county, providing local responders and residents with the tools to manage catastrophic injuries before professional medical help reaches the scene.
While paramedics and fire crews are the official first responders, McKenzie County Emergency Manager Karolin Jappe notes that in a rural environment, the true first person on the scene is usually a neighbor, a fellow traveler, or a coworker. “Help is coming, but it may take time,” Jappe said. “Knowing how to stop bleeding can keep someone alive until EMS arrives. Whether it’s a highway crash, farm accident, or oilfield injury, uncontrolled bleeding is a common risk across McKenzie County.”
The training kit, which includes tourniquets, pressure bandages, and gauze, is designed to be user-friendly, even for those with no medical background. The equipment allows residents to practice life-saving techniques in a controlled environment so they are prepared for high-stress situations. For Devon Energy, the donation is an extension of the safety protocols already required on their active worksites. Jillian Sulley, Devon’s Manager of Emergency Management, explained that the company views community safety as an essential part of its operational footprint. “Our employees, their families, and our communities matter to us, and we prioritize safety in everything we do,” Sulley said. “Safety is essential. It doesn’t stop at the worksite. It’s something we strive to share with the entire community. Sulley noted that the kits donated to the county are the same proven, practical tools Devon uses to train its own teams. The goal is to ensure that residents in more remote areas of the oil patch feel confident in their ability to act during a medical emergency.
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