Vegas shooting: Governor signs emergency declarations; blood donations soar statewide

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a Declaration of Emergency for Clark County and a Public Health and Medical Disaster declaration on Monday following the mass shooting incident in Las Vegas Sunday night that killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500.

Through the order, Sandoval has directed all state agencies to supplement the local efforts to save lives and protect the health and safety the victims of Sunday night’s attack.

Gov. Sandoval also declared a Public Health and Medical Disaster which temporarily suspends all necessary statutes and rules to allow health care providers employed by a hospital and licensed and in good standing in another state to practice in Nevada in order to assist with the public health and medical disaster response operations.

Meanwhile, people have lined up at United Blood Services statewide to donate blood, including Carson City residents. A blood drive in Carson City scheduled Monday at Casino Fandango has been booked full, a UBS official said. Statewide, there have been 4 to 6 hour waits, according to UBS.

Those who wish to give can schedule an appointment at the Carson City center at 256 East Winnie Lane or sign up for future blood drives by visiting United Blood Services website here.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office will hold a blood drive on Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Sheriff's Office at 911 E. Musser Street. Please consider donating in a week or so to keep blood supplies available.

A Las Vegas Victims' Fund Go Fund Me page was created by Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak. As of 3:20 p.m. Monday it had raised $1,286,592 of its $2 million goal.

For families looking to locate missing loved ones, please call 1-866-535-5654.
Need someone to talk to? Call the Disaster Distress Helpline's toll-free number (1-800-985-5990) and receive immediate counseling. This free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service is also available via SMS (text TalkWithUs to 66746) to anyone experiencing psychological distress as a result of this event.

People who call and text are connected to trained and caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network. The Helpline staff provides confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services. The texting service also is available to Spanish speakers. Text "Hablanos" to 66746 for 24/7 emotional support.

Also available: TTY for Deaf/Hearing Impaired: 1-800-846-8517.
See the declarations below.

For this, and more Carson City and Nevada news, visit www.carsonnow.org.