WEST MILFORD — West Milford Township Public School will be getting automated external defibrillators (AED) in time for the 2014-2015 school year. This is keeping with a new law, “Janet’s Law,” that Gov. Chris Christie signed in September, requiring that all public school districts and non-public schools have AEDs available and a plan for dealing with sudden cardiac events.
Director of Special Services Alice Steinheimer reported to the school board on the upcoming changes regarding AEDs. According to Steinheimer, Janet’s Law makes it mandatory for AEDs to be in schools for the start of the 2014 school year and must be accessible during the day and during after school activities.
In a letter to Superintendent Dr. James McLaughlin outlining the plan, Steinheimer wrote: “This bill, S-157/A-1608, also requires schools to have present a trained AED operator certified in CPR or an EMS first responder; and a cardiac emergency action plan. It also eliminates civil liability for coaches and staff in the event of responding to a cardiac emergency by using an AED device. Emergency action plans also will list the person responsible who will respond to cardiac events and contacting emergency services.”
The district already had AEDs in school buildings. The cost of one AED is between $1,500 and $2,000, according to Steinheimer.
The district plan of action includes the following:
Discuss the new bill with district-wide administrators at an Admin Council Meeting in December, 2012
Form an AED committee with the following stakeholders: director of Special Services
at least two school nurses
athletic director
at least two coaches
high school administrator(s)
middle school administrator
parent and/or school board member
Meet three times during the 2012-13 school year to review the bill and generate a proposal for implementation
Develop a Cardiac Emergency Action Plan to be reviewed by the superintendent and approved by the school board by December 2013
Train all necessary staff so the district is in compliance by the start of the 2014 school year
Purchase necessary AEDs during the 2013-2014 school year
Advise all staff members of the new bill during faculty meetings held between January 2014 and June 2014.
Janet’s Law was named for Janet Zilinski, an 11-year-old from Warren who collapsed and died due to sudden cardiac arrest in August, 2006. The bill, sponsored by Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, requires New Jersey public and non-public schools to be equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The bill also requires schools to establish emergency action plans for responding to sudden cardiac events and training for school officials and coaches on how to operate an AED.
All public school districts and non-public schools must ensure that an AED is available in an unlocked location on school property beginning Sept. 1, 2014. It must be accessible during the day and at any time a school-sponsored athletic event or team practice is taking place. Someone who is present during an athletic event or practice, such as a team coach, athletic director or other staff member, must be trained in CPR and certified in how to properly operate an AED.