By Kayode Crown
al.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala. 鈥� Gov. Kay Ivey this week signed a bill requiring all Alabama K-12 schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans.
The John Wesley Foster Act honors a 9-year-old boy from Gadsden who died from cardiac arrest in 2006, .
鈥淛ohn Wesley was a devoted, loving child who loved sports, his family and would often help others,鈥� said Wesley鈥檚 mother, Heather Anderson, . 鈥淎s a nurse, I know how important it is for everyone to learn CPR. When someone suffers cardiac arrest, we all need to act quickly, call 911 and start CPR before paramedics arrive.鈥�
The new law requires local boards of education and governing bodies of private schools to work directly with local emergency services providers beginning in the 2025-26 school year. They must develop cardiac emergency response plans and integrate them into the community鈥檚 emergency medical services responder protocols.
Other aspects of the law include:
- Mandated training of selected school staff in first aid, CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
- Proper placement and maintenance of AEDs on school property.
- Establishment of a cardiac emergency response team and procedures to activate the team during a sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergency on school property, including during athletic activities.
漏2024 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit .
Distributed by
