First Responder Come Together To Assemble Trauma Kits4Kids

JOHNSTON COUNTY – On August 1, First Responders Kits4Kids visited Clayton and Smithfield to collaborate with Walmart and local first responders in assembling 250 trauma kits designed for children.

The kits will be distributed by the Clayton Police Department, Smithfield Police Department, Clayton Fire Department, and Smithfield Fire Department, providing a vital resource during service calls and emergencies.

The primary purpose of these kits is to help distract and alleviate the anxiety children often experience during traumatic situations. Each kit contains a variety of distraction items, such as a Playtime disposable play pad, Play-Doh, and Rubik’s cubes, along with essential emergency supplies like ponchos, noise-canceling earplugs, and bandages.

In total, each K4K trauma kit is equipped with over 13 carefully selected items to support children during difficult times.

First responders can now better support children during emergencies, thanks to First Responder Kits4Kids, funded by Walmart.

Kevin Gatlin and James Fisher-Davis, the founders of First Responder Kits4Kids, are the dads behind the creation of these kits. They designed the First Responder Kits4Kids to support first responders in creating a distraction and fostering comfort when interacting with children. The two combined their strengths to develop the kits, which have been widely recognized and featured on major news outlets, including ABC News, Spectrum News, and CBS News.

“Meticulously crafted to equip first responders with a comprehensive array of tools, the First Responder Kits4Kids represent more than just objects,” Gatlin said. “They serve as immediate sources of relief.”

“Upon responding to a call involving children, first responders can promptly deploy these kits, significantly impacting the lives of children they serve,” Fisher-Davis said. “This immediate, positive influence embodies the effectiveness of the program and the shared commitment to the well-being of our community’s children.”