As the superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools, ensuring the safety of our students and staff is a top priority. Every night, I reflect on how we can enhance our protocols to better protect our students because their well-being is of utmost importance for all of us at Jefferson Parish schools.
One important part of student well-being is heart health. Each year, more than 356,000 individuals in the United States experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, with only about 10% surviving. Shockingly, approximately 23,000 of these instances involve children under 18, with nearly 40% occurring in sports-related activities. It's imperative that we have proper plans in place to respond to emergencies and safeguard our students.
The American Heart Association, in collaboration with the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, is advocating for Senate Bill 54, introduced by Sen. Bill Wheat, R-Ponchatoula, which aims to ensure that young athletes in every school have the best chance of survival in emergencies. If passed, this legislation would prevent needless loss of life due to a lack of trained personnel.
Jefferson Parish Schools requires coaches to obtain critical certifications in CPR, first aid and AED use. I ask our legislators to support SB 54 which requires all coaches statewide to be trained in responding to cardiac emergencies.
Our state lawmakers are currently deliberating on this bill, and it's crucial that they hear from us.
Let's work together to implement a proven chain of survival and improve outcomes for the 23,000 children who may face cardiac emergencies. Every student deserves the best chance for survival.
JAMES GRAY
superintendent, Jefferson Parish Schools