Students at Bullard High School participate in the Stop the Bleed event.

Valley Children’s and Bullard High Team Up for Lifesaving Schoolwide Training

Published November 26, 2025

FRESNO, Calif. – More than 1,500 students and 30 staff members at Bullard High School were trained in lifesaving bleeding control techniques during a three-day event, part of the Stop the Bleed initiative.

Held November 12-14, the event was a collaboration between Valley Children’s Healthcare, Bullard High School and Fresno Unified School District. Valley Children’s provided doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and support staff to lead the sessions.

Stop the Bleed is an international initiative that originated after Sandy Hook to teach the community how to identify and treat life-threatening bleeding, according to Kristina Pasma, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Valley Children’s.

Valley Children’s began partnering with Fresno Unified in 2018, but the program expanded in 2021 when a core group of teachers became certified instructors.

“It’s my belief that just like CPR, Stop the Bleed is an essential life skill to know,” Pasma said. “It makes me proud to see Valley Children’s partner with trauma centers and agencies in our region to ensure our youth are equipped with these skills.”

Bullard High School leaders said the training aligns with their commitment to student leadership and community preparedness.

“At Bullard High School, we strive to encourage leadership and responsibility and support community preparedness,” said Celia Lopez, law and social justice pathway CTE teacher. “We made the collaborative decision to certify staff and students in Stop the Bleed for a variety of reasons. We feel it is important for everyone to have this life-saving skill and empower students and staff to know how to respond in an emergency.”

Organizers hope the event will raise awareness and inspire similar efforts at other schools in the region.