The White Plains school district is partnering with White Plains Hospital to teach staff important first aid practices in preparation of the start of the school year.

The White Plains Hospital’s "Stop the Bleed" program teaches school staff how to apply tourniquets, pack wounds and stop excessive bleeding.

White Plains Superintendent Joe Ricca says the skills learned will create a safer school environment and a more productive school year.

"It's important because just like the Heimlich maneuver or just like CPR, this is another skill that we have that's available within our building to be able to support somebody in the event of a traumatic situation,” he says. "We're going to have folks all throughout the school district who are going to have this training and it really is simple training and it's seconds that could be between life and death."

The program is free and available to anyone who may want to take the course.