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American Heart Association and HCA donate CPR kits; Putnam schools to offer EKG screenings under new law
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Summary
The American Heart Association and HCA Florida Putnam donated 12 CPR and school training kits to Putnam County Schools and outlined plans for districtwide EKG screening of incoming seventh–twelfth graders to comply with a new state law (House Bill 1607); selected screening dates and opt-out procedures were announced.
The Putnam County School Board accepted a donation of 12 CPR and school training kits from the American Heart Association and HCA Florida Putnam and heard plans for EKG screenings the district says will help it comply with a new state requirement.
"Immediate CPR can double or triple a victim's chance," Miss Kenna Foster of the American Heart Association told the board. Foster said combining CPR training with automated external defibrillator (AED) training can raise survival rates "by 50 percent or higher." She thanked HCA Healthcare and described the donated kits as classroom-ready sets that include curriculum and practice AEDs.
Janet Martin of HCA Florida Putnam introduced Landon Smith, the hospital CEO. Foster said the donation will help the district meet the requirements of "House Bill 1607" and board policy "24 17," which the district cited as requiring CPR, first aid and AED training and expanded EKG screening for some students. Foster said parents may opt out through a physician’s paperwork.
District staff announced targeted dates and locations for EKG screenings: Palatka High (April 20, 6–8 p.m.), Crescent City Junior–Senior High (April 20, 4–6 p.m.) and Interlachen Junior–Senior High (May 8 and May 15, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.). Foster said the district plans to open registration on the district website and to offer EKGs to incoming seventh graders through twelfth graders and to any high-school athletes playing for the first time in their high-school careers.
Foster told the board the program identified more than 500 participants last year and that four students detected by the screening required surgery. "This will be in compliance with the new law," she said, adding that parents retain the right to opt out with physician documentation.
The district said the kits will be used to train staff and students and that Foster and local hospital staff will support implementation. Board members thanked the presenters and praised the donation as a step toward student and staff safety.
The district will post registration links and additional details on its website; school officials said more information will be shared as schedules are finalized.
