EBCF - Automated External Defibrillators (AEDS)

EBCF - Automated External Defibrillators (AEDS)
The Board recognizes that from time to time medical emergencies may arise that warrant the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
It is the intent of the Board that M.S.A.D. #35 acquires one or more AEDs for use in each of  its schools and one for use at each venue on school property at which students are participating in a school-sponsored athletic event or team practice, for the duration of the activity. It is the Board’s intent that acquisition of AEDs will be completed and the school unit ready for full implementation of this policy by the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year.
M.S.A.D. #35 will require training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of AEDs for those school unit personnel who have been identified by the Superintendent, in consultation with the school unit’s school health advisor and athletic director and/or certified athletic trainer (AT-C), as needing such training to effectively carry out their job responsibilities. This includes high school and middle school coaches, assistant coaches, and athletic trainers who will be responsible for use or access to AEDs on school property outside of the school building.
Other school personnel and members of the public may receive training on CPR and use of AEDs in order to acquire the skills and confidence to respond to emergencies.
M.S.A.D. #35 will offer training to high school and/or middle school students on performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) in accordance with Maine Department of Education rule Chapter 41. 
All AEDs acquired by the school unit must be tested and maintained according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines. The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing protocols, as needed, and for assigning responsibilities related to the use, storage, location, testing, and maintenance of MSAD #35’s AEDs and keeping track of AEDs removed from a school building for use elsewhere on school property.
Appropriate first aid, ambulance, rescue services or other local emergency medical service providers must be notified of the location and type of AEDs acquired by the school unit.
Athletic Emergency Action Plans
The school unit shall develop and implement an emergency action plan based on recommendations from a nationally recognized heart health organization or nationally recognized athletic training organization that addresses the appropriate, venue-specific use of an AED by school personnel to respond to an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while attending or participating in a school-sponsored athletic event, including a team practice, on school property. The Superintendent, or athletic director, or certified athletic trainer will be responsible for taking the lead in developing the plan, with input from others as appropriate (e.g., school health advisor, school nurse, athletic trainers, head coaches, first responders).
The plan will include identifying the means by which participants and attendees/spectators will be informed as to how (and where) they can access an AED at an athletic event or team practice on school property.
 
Legal References: 
14 MRSA § 164
20-A MRSA § 4009; 6304, 6304-A, 6304-B
22 MRSA § 2150-C
Maine Dept. of Educ. Rule Ch. 41 (January 9, 2024)
Cross Reference: 
EBCA – Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
JLCE - First Aid and Emergency Medical Care
JLCDB - Naloxone (Narcan) in Schools
Policy Adopted: November 25, 2003
Policy Revised: October 21, 2009; February 24, 2016; October 21, 2026