Plainview-Old Bethpage board highlights AED rollout and expanded staff training after Matlin Middle emergency

Superintendent Dr. O'Meara and district staff told the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board on April 20 that the district has stepped up cardiac emergency preparedness after a recent Matlin Middle School incident.

Dr. O'Meara said the district is emphasizing both equipment and training, noting an increase in National Merit recognitions alongside safety investments. "So I'm happy to report on this," Dr. O'Meara said, describing district efforts to ensure rapid, coordinated responses to cardiac events.

District administrator Chris presented specifics about implementing New York State's "Desh's Law," signed in July 2025 and effective Jan. 20, 2026. Chris said the district has added more than 30 AED units across buildings, expanded portable devices for outdoor instruction and field trips, and created protocols for CERT (cardiac emergency response team) roles, radio communications and EMS entry points. He described planning to station personnel at designated access points so responders can enter through the closest entrance.

Chris gave a staffing and training update: the district has trained "over 200" staff members in CPR and AED use, which he characterized as a 124% increase and roughly 17.7% of district staff. He said those trained include clerical, administrative and coaches assigned to buildings and that portable AEDs are issued to high‑risk teams each season under a protocol managed by Mister Braco.

Board members pressed on logistics for athletics and off‑site events. Gary asked how teams at fields away from the high school obtain AEDs; Chris explained that Braco maintains an issuing supply and that portable devices should be brought to fields to meet a local three‑minute response target. The board also discussed opportunities for trained students—those over 18 and with EMT certification—to support CERT teams; student representative Samantha Hecker said, "I'm a New York registered EMT," and volunteered interest in joining such efforts.

The board praised Matlin staff and students for their response. Heather Quijano, the student’s mother, told the board, "You saved Leo," thanking staff and students for what she described as a life‑saving coordinated response.

The presentation emphasized sustaining training year to year and aiming to increase the share of trained staff. District staff credited cooperation with the Plainview Fire Department and outside trainers for program design and recommended cross‑building visits so Matlin team members can share lessons learned with other school CERT teams.

Next steps noted during the meeting included continuing to expand training, maintaining portable AED inventories for athletics and field trips, and exploring ways to involve eligible students with appropriate training in response roles.