The revival of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin following sudden cardiac arrest showed the life-or-death importance of AEDs and CPR training. Andover Public Schools works diligently to provide a similar level of access and training for its students, staff and visitors.

Andover Public Schools was recently recertified as a Project ADAM district, meaning our schools have achieved a rigorous checklist of heart safety protocols, including:

• Easy access to AEDs that are regularly checked for functionality.
• Staff training on AEDs and CPR.
• Developing a cardiac emergency response plan.
• Drills to know what to do in the case of sudden cardiac arrest.

The national school certification program is administered locally by the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Since their deployment approximately 15 years ago, our AEDs are believed to have saved three lives. We join organizations across the country in recommending CPR and AED training. It saves lives.

Pictured (left to right): Jennifer Seymour, president of the Andover Board of Education; Aaron Ryan, executive director of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita Medical Practice Association; Kellie Bamford, health services coordinator; and Brett White, superintendent, as Ryan presented the Project Adam recertification certificate to the district.