The New York state Senate and Assembly took steps to make New York’s schools safer when they unanimously passed S.5585-A and A.785-A on Wednesday, June 11. Sponsored by state Sen. April N.M. Baskin and state Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, the legislation would put Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in all of New York’s schools.
Next, the legislation must go to Gov. Kathy Hochul for her approval.
“Imagine the joy of watching your daughter playing basketball at her middle school gym, having fun with her teammates,” said April N.M. Baskin, sponsor of S.5585-A. “Now, imagine that day turning into a nightmare when disaster strikes. Desha Sanders, my vibrant, 12-year-old cousin, suddenly collapsed on the gym floor. She was in cardiac arrest. While an automated external defibrillator was available in the school, no one could locate the keys to open the unit. Precious minutes ticked by as Desha’s life hung by a thread. She was rushed to the emergency room, but Desha died. As a mother and Desha’s cousin, I want to assure parents, staff and every student that I’m fighting for you if the unthinkable happens in your school. Desha’s Law calls for a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP), a detailed outline on what steps to take in a cardiac emergency, in every public school across the state. CERP was borne out of tragedy after Desha lost her life. With the passage of this legislation, lives will undoubtedly be saved.”
Ann Furner of Whitesboro is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor who met with legislators and helped host the CPR Showdown between the state Assembly and the state Senate on April 8. The Assembly beat out the Senate, and, in one day, 200 people learned Hands-Only CPR.
“I am still here today because trained professionals were at church when I suffered my sudden cardiac arrest,” Furner said. “Our students’ lives cannot be left to chance. The community attends daily events in our schools, and on their playing fields. We will be keeping our children, their families and our entire community safer.”
“The Senate and Assembly voted to help schools save lives should a sudden cardiac arrest occur in a school,” said Salley Thornton, American Heart Association Rochester volunteer board chairwoman and director of field marketing and events at Toshiba America Business Solutions. “Having a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in place leaves no room for hesitation. It outlines the steps to take in a cardiac emergency, the location of an AED and who will take what action.”
The NFL and the Smart Heart Sports Coalition have worked alongside the American Heart Association to pass Cardiac Emergency Response Plans.
Each year, 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, and only 10% survive. With about 2,418,513 students enrolled in New York public schools in pre-K to grade 12; and 215,701 public school teachers, numerous parents and community members using schools daily, it is important that school facilities have a plan in place to address cardiac arrest.
It is estimated that there are more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the U.S.
Provided information
