Carrollton Elementary Nurse Anna Thompson unpacks the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) equipment for a demonstration.
Carrollton City Schools has been awarded a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to strengthen emergency preparedness and response on campus. Hosting thousands of students and parents, as well as extracurricular attendees and visitors, on campus each day, CCS prioritizes safety practices by purchasing life-saving AEDs.
As CCS nursing staff, school resource officers, and local agency first responders continue serving Carrollton, the district must have the tools needed to promptly intervene and effectively respond in emergencies. The $19,279 grant will be used to purchase ten Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and corresponding equipment needed for personnel training. AEDs are portable medical devices that are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. In emergency response situations, having quickly accessible, life-saving equipment is critical in ensuring safe environments.
In addition to the school day, thousands of guests visit the district’s campus annually for sporting, recreational and performing arts events. Accommodating such a significant number of people emphasizes the need for comprehensive safety measures. As a result, CCS has been diligent about making safety a top priority.
In 2019, CCS first received a grant for AEDs through the foundation, securing the ability to update the equipment the system already owned. Since then, the district has worked to stay current on these medical devices to keep the best safety measures in place. Just five years ago, Carrollton High School experienced the critical need for this equipment when a student suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the efforts of staff and the assessment and administration of the AED, the student received life-saving treatment while they waited for first responders to arrive on the scene.
“Each day, our faculty and staff work together to maintain a safe environment for students and families, and that same commitment extends to our community when we host major celebrations, like the Fourth of July fireworks presentation or other state-level events,” said Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Operations Craig George. “We are grateful for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for recognizing our efforts to prioritize health and safety and for providing grant funds to ensure we have the equipment to do so.”
According to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, this grant is “part of more than $109 million awarded by the organization to support public safety across the U.S. since 2005, with more than 70% of funds raised coming directly from the generosity of Firehouse Subs guests and the restaurant brand.”
Author: Jamie Tuggle
