Carroll County Schools has strengthened its emergency preparedness thanks to an $18,000 state grant that funded new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and other lifesaving equipment.
The grant, awarded through the Kentucky Department of Education's AED Fund, allowed the district to purchase nine fully automatic AEDs along with responder kits, training equipment, replacement pads, batteries and other essential supplies.
Carroll County Schools District Health Coordinator Alyssa Walls said the new fully automatic AEDs replace aging units for which warranties had expired.
"The fully automatic AEDs remove a lot of the hesitation people may have during an emergency," Walls said. "Instead of someone having to press the shock button, the device slowly counts down from three and delivers the shock automatically if it's needed."
Carroll County Schools now has 31 AEDs strategically placed throughout the district. Every school has at least two devices, while additional units are located in athletic facilities, concession stands, the transportation and technology office, maintenance department, board office and other district buildings. Travel AEDs are also available so student groups have access to one when attending events at locations that may not have the equipment.
"If you're on one of our campuses, you're within about three minutes of an AED," she said.
The district's commitment to emergency preparedness extends well beyond the equipment itself. Nurses, coaches, bus drivers and numerous staff members maintain CPR certification, and each school has a designated cardiac emergency response team that participates in regular training and emergency drills. Every school also has a cardiac emergency response plan that is reviewed and updated regularly.
The Kentucky General Assembly established new AED requirements for schools in 2023 and created grant funding to help districts purchase the equipment. Carroll County Schools applied during the second year the funding was available.
"We hope we never have to use an AED," Walls said. "Our goal is simply to be prepared. Having the right equipment, trained staff and clear emergency plans in place helps us provide the safest possible environment for our students, staff and visitors."