Allen, TX (WBAP/KLIF) – On June 5, 2023, the Allen Fire Department released a summary of data laying out the complete timeline for the emergency medical response to the May 6th mass casualty event at the Allen Premium Outlets.
“Every recoverable victim was saved,” said Dr. Kevin Hoffman, the medical director for the Allen Fire Department. The quick response by Allen police officers, paramedics, and civilians helped save lives following the mass shooting that took place at the Allen Premium Outlets on May 6, according to Hoffman. “If it were not for the training police and fire personnel had, I don’t think we would have been as fortunate.”
Even before paramedics were able to reach the victims, police officers used tactical combat medical techniques to stop the victims’ bleeding.
Dispatched at 3:37, Allen paramedics arrived on the scene, donned ballistic gear, and formed Rescue Task Forces (RTFs) with local police, which enabled them to reach their first patients only 12 minutes later, at 3:49 p.m.
RTFs are combined police and fire units used to provide care while a threat may still exist. Almost all care was provided while radio traffic indicated that there was still a concern about more than one shooter.
“Allen police and firefighters have jointly trained on how to respond to this type of situation since 2018,” said Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd. “Our mutual aid partners and local hospitals all implemented their emergency protocols as well.”
Behind the scenes, Allen dispatchers coordinated the response including five ambulances from Allen as well as ambulances responding from McKinney, Plano, Fairview, Lucas, Prosper, and assistance from Frisco and Princeton as part of mutual aid protocols.
“There is no question that the entire public safety and medical community came together on this tragic day, implementing plans and training that has gone on quietly for years,” said Boyd. “One of the most difficult things we must deal with as first responders is that no matter how much we train or how quickly we respond we were not able to help everyone. We will always remember those whose lives were taken on May 6. Our community will come together, Allen strong, to see that they are not forgotten.”
Source: Allen Fire Department.
