Myrtle Beach, SC — Grand Strand Health is donating $3,500 to Myrtle Beach Police Department’s SWAT team for the purchase of Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs), enhancing the team’s ability to respond to critical and life-threatening situations.
The IFAKs will provide SWAT officers with immediate access to essential medical supplies during high-risk operations, including barricade and hostage incidents, suicide interventions, active shooter responses, and the execution of high-risk warrants.
“Providing rapid, lifesaving care in the field can make all the difference in an emergency,” said Dr. Antonio Pepe, Medical Director of Trauma Services at Grand Strand Health. “As a healthcare provider, we are committed not only to treating patients within our walls, but also to supporting those on the front lines who protect and serve our community every day.”
SWAT teams are often the first to encounter severe trauma in volatile situations. Having immediate access to bleeding control tools and other critical medical supplies allows officers to stabilize injuries until EMS personnel can safely enter the scene.
“Our team is often operating in dynamic, high-risk environments where seconds matter,” said SWAT Commander Ryan Mindala. “Having immediate access to lifesaving equipment like IFAKs allows SWAT members to provide critical care on scene, not just for each other, but for victims as well. This donation directly enhances our ability to save lives.”
Media are invited to attend a check presentation on Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m. at Fire Station 4. Interview opportunities with representatives from Grand Strand Health and the Myrtle Beach Police Department will be available on site.
This partnership highlights a shared commitment between Grand Strand Health and the Myrtle Beach Police Department to improve emergency response capabilities and enhance community safety.