Company Name: Officer Survival Solutions
Headquarters: Carlsbad, California
Signature Product: Trauma Plate Pack
Website: http://www.officersurvivalsolutions.com/
Officer Survival Solution’s President and COO Marc Barry understands firsthand the budgetary problems that plague departments and law enforcement agencies. Because of this, his company has solutions in place to help obtain the vital lifesaving gear and operational equipment that is needed for officers and agents to remain safe while putting themselves directly in harm’s way.
Where did your company name originate from?
The name is based on what we do. We provide solutions to stay alive and go home at night successfully.
What was the inspiration behind starting your company?
In 2006, my friend and former partner was shot and killed and he bled to death on scene before officers could get to him (like so many others). If we had something portable enough to carry on us, we could mitigate these line-of-duty deaths.
Why do you believe your products are essential to the public safety and security communities?
Any law enforcement officer that enforces the law and carries a weapon to save a life or protect a life should have something to save his or her own life with as well. These kits have been proven a number of times by police officers and are credited with nine saves in the last 24 months.
What has been the biggest challenge your company has faced?
Recognition. There are so many “trauma kits” out there these days that say that they are “trauma shooting kits” and they are merely a glorified first aid kit containing band aids, aspirin and tape. None of those products would save your life if you’ve suffered a gunshot wound. The cops need to know the difference and educate themselves on the difference in kits because unfortunately there are other companies that try to benefit from this lack of knowledge.
What makes your company unique?
We are all very seasoned cops and combat medics with many years of experience operating in some of the most volatile regions of the world. We have all used the critical items contained in our kits. We know what works firsthand and we guide our client departments and agencies on not only the best suited for their purpose, but also assist them with getting their officers trained on those items. For the bigger agencies we will send a team to them and train their officers or assist them in any way they may need. All of this is on our dime at no additional cost to the departments.
What do your customers like best about you and your products?
Our customers like the fact that all of us at OSS speak from actual experience in gunfights and the treating of actual gunshot wounds. It’s not good practice to guide or offer advice to someone if you have never been in their shoes and done the job. Trauma treatment for law enforcement is a much different breed than trauma treatment for ER doctors and physicians. What works on a table in a controlled environment will not always work for a patrol officer at 2:00 AM in the field trying to save another officer or themselves. We don’t just read books and take “tactical” classes, we have lived it and been directly involved in what we are trying to accomplish as a company and that’s “save our own”!
Plus our kits have the “proven” factor; our kits have been used to save police officer’s lives and are continuing that throughout our nation. These kits work exactly how they are designed to be used and that’s the fact.
What is the most rewarding part of serving the first responder community?
Saving a brother or sister officer’s life, that is solely why we exist! So others don’t have to experience that loss!
Do you support any charitable organizations within public safety?
Yes we are a supporter of Project Triage, a charitable organization that provides kits to smaller departments that can’t find or create funding to get their officers this much needed critical gear.
What’s next for your company? Any upcoming new projects or initiative?
We are working with the body armor community and manufacturers of ballistic products to create more of a prevention role among OSS as well as treatment for when that time comes. It’s not a matter of “if”, it’s a matter of “when” and will you be prepared?
