State Wide Programs

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• Getting Started
• Common Objections
• Finding Money
• Unique Aspects of AED Programs in School
• Sample School Policies
• State Wide Programs
• Model School AED Legislation

Selected State Wide AED Programs

Pennsylvania ( Act 4 of 2001, Section 1423)

1. Legislation signed May 17, 2001 provided two free Medtronic PhysioControl LifePak 500 AEDs to every public school district in the Commonwealth, one to every intermediate unit, and one to every vocational technical school. The offer of free AEDs expired August 31, 2002.
2. All schools (including private, public, parochial, and charter) were permitted to purchase an unlimited number of LifePak 500s at a cost of $1,445 each. This pricing expires August 31, 2003.
3. As of December 2002, more than 99% of the 501 public school systems throughout the  Commonwealth obtained their free AEDs and schools purchased more than 1,500 additional AEDs to supplement their free ones.
4. Requirements to receive free AEDs
   1. Assure that two or more persons where the AED will be located are trained in its use through the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or equivalent course approved by the Department of Health.
   2. Ensure that the AED will be kept in a safe and readily accessible location.
   3. Maintain and test the AED according to the manufacturer’s specifications
   4. Submit a valid prescription for the purchase of the AED
   5. Agree to provide the training noted in #1 above
   6. The superintendent of schools or chief administrative officer must agree in writing with the conditions
   7. Good Samaritan civil immunity applies to school employees who use the AED in emergency situations
   8. School participation in the AED program is not required

New York (Section 917, Education Law)

A.     Legislation passed in May 2002 requires all public school districts, BOCES, County vocational education and extension boards, and charter schools to provide and maintain at least one AED in each school building. Compliance was mandated by September 1, 2002. Districts that could not comply were granted extensions until December 1, 2002.

B.     No funding was provided and there were no requirements of a particular model of AED.

C.     Requirements

a.       At least one AED must be placed in each public school building throughout New York.

b.      There must be at least one person trained to use the AED in each building.

c.       The AED must be available whenever the facility is being used for a school-sponsored curricular or extra curricular event including athletic contests.

d.      At some grade levels, the AED must be present for athletic events even if such events are held at a site not covered by the legislation (e.g. parochial schools).

e.       It is recommended that each school building develop a plan whereby an AED trained rescuer can respond to the scene of an emergency quickly.

f.        Section 3000 of the New York Public Health Law protects from liability persons who are trained voluntarily and use AEDs without compensation.

g.       Schools are encouraged to voluntarily become public access defibrillation providers. For more information, visit

www.nysut.org/research/bulletins/20021201defibrillator.html

Delaware (Title 16 Health and Safety, Part II, Chapter 30c)

A.     Beginning in 2000 and continuing through 2002 Delaware’s legislature has  provided AEDs to its public schools through tobacco settlement funds. Schools are not mandated to place AEDs but by the summer of 2002,  95% of Delaware’s schools had received AEDs

B.     To obtain no-cost AEDs schools (and other entities) must apply through the State Department of Emergency Medical Services. A survey is completed to determine how many AEDs are required to protect a school facility. Part of this survey is based on the number of athletic events that are held at the school and the number of spectators who attend (athletic) events.

C.     Requirements

a.       A facility receiving an AED must have prospective rescuers who are trained through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or by another nationally recognized provider approved by the Delaware EMS Director.

b.      The AED must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

c.       If the AED is used to treat a cardiac emergency, notification must be made to the appropriate EMS agency (by calling 911) and the incident must be reported to the program’s medical director following the emergency.

d.      The names of each person trained and the location of each AED obtained through State funds will be kept by the Delaware EMS Medical Director.

e.       Immunity from civil liability is granted to anyone who renders emergency care using an AED as long as he does so in a prudent manner and without compensation. Immunity is also granted to the owner of the site where the AED is located, the person authorizing the purchase of the AED, and the entity providing CPR/AED training.