Kent City — For the first time, Kent City High School has earned the MI HEARTSafe designation as a school that has taken the appropriate steps to prepare for cardiac emergencies. This designation is awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Education, American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young.
To receive a MI HEARTSafe School designation, schools must have:
- A written cardiac emergency response plan and team that can respond to an emergency during school hours and after-school activities and sports
- Current CPR/AED certification of at least 10% of staff and 50% of coaches, including 100% of head coaches and physical education staff
- Accessible, properly maintained and inspected AEDs with signs identifying locations
- Annual cardiac emergency response drills
- Pre-participation sports screening of all student athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by MHSAA.
“At Kent City High School, preparedness shows our commitment to safety,” Superintendent Bill Crane told SNN. “While we hope never to need this (cardiac emergency response) plan, its importance cannot be overstated. Regular training and practice enable our team to act with confidence. This initiative reflects our dedication to creating a safe environment for all students and staff.”
In addition to the high school’s HEARTSafe designation, Crane said each building in the district is staffed with medical emergency response teams trained how to respond to a cardiac emergency.
Since the HEARTSafe program began in 2013, 994 schools statewide have earned the designation. This year, 158 schools received the award for the first time. A complete list of participating schools is available online.
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