The thoughts repeated over and over in Michelle Cole’s mind. She had heard a series of pops that sounded like fireworks. But when the second volley erupted she knew it was gunfire. Could this really be happening?
Heroes are born from adversity. As we remember this dark day from last year that became the birthplace of #VegasStrong, we can look back and find that even when a shadow covers the land, there are those that shine. While danger still stalked the night, some chose to leave safety and run to the aid of those in need. Lives were saved as a direct response of these brave people. We remember their heroism. We celebrate their tireless work and resolve to spread the word and challenge each of us to be prepared for any situation. This amazing video tells the story of one such hero in her own words.
It was just after 10pm, the night of October 1, 2017. Cole had travelled to Las Vegas with friends and family to attend the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. She was enjoying the concert when a gunman opened fire on the crowd. Between 10:05 and 10:15pm, the shooter would fire more than 1,100 rounds into the crowd, killing 58 people. 851 others were injured from gunfire and the panic that resulted.
Cole is a registered nurse and Trauma Program Manager, with a long history as a first responder. Being the head of trauma, she had felt that she needed training for mass casualty incidents to understand what to do. Following the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016, Cole traveled to Orlando and met with physicians and the head trauma nurse who had been involved in treating victims, and she also treated injured patients herself. After hearing the stories of those who survived when they ran, and those who were killed when they hid in the nightclub bathroom, she knew she needed to get active shooter and Stop the Bleed training.
At NAR, it has been our mission for over 2 decades to equip the courageous with life-saving tools and we couldn’t be prouder to know that lives were saved that day with those devices. Never let the darkness win. Be a light and bring hope thru action! We are honored to partner with @safarilandgroup to bring you Michelle Cole’s incredible story of determination to #bethedifference .
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