TASB NEWS
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2007
Contact: Ed Thompson, 800.482.7276, ext. 6227
Fund Board Expands Life-Saving Award
(AUSTIN) – A second group of 116 school districts has been selected to receive automated external defibrillators (AEDs) from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Risk Management Fund. These life-saving devices can dramatically increase the chance of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The Fund Board expanded its special loss prevention award to recognize member school districts that have maintained their participation in the Fund’s workers’ compensation or property casualty programs without a break in coverage for 20 or more years.
“Medical emergencies involving students, staff, and visitors could happen at any time on school campuses and at related activities. In the recent past, several student athletes have experienced suspected heart trouble and AEDs played a large role when there was a positive outcome. We sincerely believe that providing these devices ensures that our members are better prepared for life-threatening situations as they integrate the AEDs into their first responder and first-aid programs,” said Ed Thompson, TASB Loss Prevention Services director.
Last fall the University Interscholastic League mandated that all 1,300 Texas public high schools that are UIL members obtain at least one AED for their campuses and athletic events beginning in the 2007-08 school year. The UIL action followed several well publicized deaths and near-deaths by teenage athletes in Texas.
Automated external defibrillators offer a practical way to save more lives. These devises, used to restore normal heart rhythm in individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, automatically analyze the person’s condition and advise the rescuer whether or not a shock is needed. Time is often crucial in these situations, because there is a very good chance emergency medical services (EMS) cannot respond fast enough to save someone in cardiac arrest. In fact, the national response time is 10-12 minutes, so even the best EMS responders could have difficulty arriving in time. “The response to AED awards from Fund members has been exceedingly positive. Fund members expressed deep appreciation to the Risk Management Fund Board for this extraordinary award. All together, more than 400 members will have received AEDs from the Fund as a result of this program. We see it as an excellent way of giving back to our members and providing them the tools to make a real difference locally,” Thompson said.
The Fund is the largest risk sharing pool for school districts and the fifth largest public entity risk pool in the nation. Created in 1974, the Fund provides comprehensive risk management coverage and services in the areas of workers’ compensation, property/casualty, unemployment compensation, and loss prevention.
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