(WNY News Now) By installing AEDs on its buses, the Allegany-Limestone School District in New York State creates a new benchmark for student safety.
New York’s AlleganyTo observe the automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in the district’s school buses up close, New York State Senator George Borrello stopped by the Allegany-Limestone Central School District bus garage. In New York State, this is the first project of its sort.
In order to handle potential medical crises, particularly during lengthy rural bus routes or sporting trips, Allegany-Limestone Central School District Transportation Supervisor Curtis Peters had the idea two years ago to outfit all district buses and vans with AEDs. Peters acknowledged the urgent need, pointing out that ambulance response times in the rural parts of the region might be as long as 10 to 20 minutes, which may be the difference between saving a life and death.
But there were obstacles to the vision. The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) first voiced doubts regarding the legality of installing AEDs on school buses. Resolved to proceed, Peters turned to Senator Borrello’s office for support. In order to successfully navigate the regulatory procedure and obtain the required permissions, Senator Borrello and his team painstakingly collaborated with DOT officials and Senate legal staff.
Senator Borrello stated that this is an excellent illustration of what can be achieved when communities, state representatives, and local leaders work together to put our children’s safety first. In addition to making Allegany-Limestone a leader in student safety, the district’s dedication and vision have set an example for other districts to follow. Being able to contribute to important projects like this one with my team is tremendously fulfilling.
Since then, the district has equipped its fleet of buses with 17 AEDs. To obtain certification in the use of the life-saving equipment, all transportation employees completed CPR, AED, and first aid training. When a student with a severe bee sting allergy was distressed during the first week of classes, the initiative’s significance was already evident. The experience demonstrated the need of having these devices on hand, even though the ambulance arrived promptly and the AED was not utilized.
Senator Borrello praised the community, school board, and district administration for their assistance in making this important project a reality. This is about saving lives and demonstrating that Allegany-Limestone is at the forefront of student safety, not simply about buses and gadgets.