Clinton School District has recently expanded its safety measures by developing a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) that is being utilized in the district for potential cardiac emergencies. The CUSD #15 Nursing Team approached administration ten months ago and suggested the development of a CERP as well as the development of Emergency Response Teams in each of the district’s school buildings. Supt. Curt Nettles and Asst. Supt. Drew Goebel were very supportive of the nursing team designing and implementing additional safety measures within the district. The development of CUSD #15’s CERP was modeled after Project ADAM. Project ADAM is a nationwide initiative that has saved the lives of more than 200 children, adolescents and adults who went into sudden cardiac arrest in a school setting. CUSD #15’s CERP has been shared with all school staff, local law enforcement dispatchers, local EMS services, as well as the local fire department. Bi-annual cardiac emergency response drills began in May of 2023 and have continued this fall. So far, 4 of the 5 schools within the district have completed the required training and submitted records to Project Adam and have become designated Heart Safe Schools. These schools include Clinton High School, Clinton Junior High School, Douglas Elementary School, and Lincoln Elementary School. Clinton Elementary School will be completing their training in early November.
In addition to the implementation of Emergency Response Teams and the CERP, district leaders allowed coordinator, Jill Martin, RN, to purchase several new AEDs as well as to replace several older models. The district also has multiple AEDs placed throughout the sports campus at Clinton High School. School nurses, Shelly Constance and Jill Martin, also became licensed as CPR instructors in April of 2023. They have been able to offer CPR classes to all staff members who have wanted to become certified in CPR. They have also trained staff in AED use and first aid. Currently, over 105 staff members and coaches have taken a school sponsored CPR course. Asst. Supt. Drew Goebel has also approved for CHS nurse, Jill Martin, to teach CPR to students in Child Development, Health, as well as students at Clinton Academy. Future classes focusing on other age groups and classes is being planned.
Schools that have completed their first emergency response drill and met all requirements of becoming a Heart Safe School are pictured. Additional team members have joined several of the Emergency Response Teams this fall and will be participating in future drills. Students will also be encouraged to participate in emergency drills.
