TASB News
For Immediate Release: November 20, 2006
Contact: Barbara Williams, 800-580-8272, ext. 6418
A Potential Gift of Life
(Austin) – A group of 287 school districts and education entities has been selected to receive automated external defibrillators (AED) from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Risk Management Fund. These life-saving devices can dramatically increase the chance of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
"Medical emergencies involving students, staff, and visitors could happen at any time on school campuses and at related activities. Over the last few months, several student athletes have experienced suspected heart trouble and AEDs played a large role when there was a positive outcome. We sincerely believe that providing these devices will ensure that our members are better prepared for life-threatening situations as they integrate the AEDs into their first responder and first-aid programs," said Ed Thompson, TASB Loss Prevention Services director.
Recently the University Interscholastic League mandated that all 1,300 Texas public high schools that are UIL members obtain at least one AED for their campuses and athletic events beginning in the 2007-08 school year. The UIL action followed several well publicized deaths and near-deaths by teenage athletes in Texas.
Automated external defibrillators offer a practical way to save more lives. These devices, used to restore normal heart rhythm in individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, automatically analyze the person's condition and advise the rescuer whether or not a shock is needed. Time is often crucial in these situations, because there is a very good chance emergency medical services (EMS) cannot respond fast enough to save someone in cardiac arrest. In fact, the national response time is 10-12 minutes, so even the best EMS responders could have difficulty arriving in time.
"The Risk Management Fund Board saw a need for our members and realized we have a way to meet that need. This special loss prevention award was made available as a way of showing appreciation to our Fund members that participate in both the worker's compensation and property casualty programs. We see it as an excellent way of giving back to our members and providing them the tools to make a real difference locally," Thompson said.
The TASB Risk Management Fund is the largest risk sharing pool for school districts and the fifth largest public entity risk pool in the nation. Created in 1974, the Fund provides comprehensive risk management coverage and services in the areas of workers' compensation, property/casualty, unemployment compensation, and loss prevention.
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