Columbia Cardiac Emergency Response

 The Columbia School District vision is “Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow”.  An encouraging, positive and safe learning environment is pertinent to the success of our children.  Columbia has focused our efforts on providing a safe, secure environment for our students and staff members to properly deliver a positive beneficial learning environment for our school family.

This past week the Columbia teachers, staff members and administrators learned about our Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and how it benefits our students.  The Cardiac Emergency Response Plan was created with a partnership with the Columbia Township Fire Department and Project ADAM.  Since 1999, Project ADAM has provided schools with the resources necessary for planning and implementing school cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) programs.

The orientation to the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan included an overview of the plan and an example of an emergency scenario to help guide and direct responders, teachers and staff members.  The plan includes the creation of a Cardiac Emergency Response Team.  The teams are made up of five to 10 people in each building who are designated to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency.  The team members are located in various areas of each school building to ensure adequate coverage.

Sudden cardiac arrest events can vary greatly.  Faculty, staff and Cardiac Emergency Response Team (CERT) members must be prepared to perform the duties necessary in an emergency.   Immediate action is crucial in order to successfully respond to a cardiac emergency.  The Cardiac Emergency Response Plan orientation was led by Dr. Campbell who is a certified American Red Cross CPR and AED instructor. 

Over the next month the students in each building will become more acquainted to the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and how to support the effort to increase the safe environment in our district.  In addition, the groups who are using the Columbia School District facilities will be able to access the plan and instructions.  The idea is to provide an increased level of safety for our students and community members while using our buildings.  If you are interested in learning more about the program or any other Columbia School District initiative, please email Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.