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Athletic trainer details expanded AED coverage and emergency drills at Tomorrow River
Summary
Athletic trainer Jody Waltenberg told the board the district has expanded portable AED availability, held sudden cardiac arrest drills and worked with Amherst Fire District and WIAA policy to strengthen event-day medical planning.
Jody Waltenberg, the district athletic trainer, told the Tomorrow River School District board that the district has strengthened athlete safety by increasing portable AED availability, formalizing pre-game medical briefings and running real-time emergency drills.
Waltenberg said the district now has two AEDs purchased by the boys soccer program and five additional portable AEDs on loan from the Amherst Fire District, giving the campus six portable units in total. "So there's 2 that are owned by the district, that were purchased by boys soccer... there's 5 that are on loan from fire district, and there's 6 total on campus," she said, describing how the equipment travels to off-campus practices and games.
She credited local staff and volunteers for operationalizing a new WIAA rule requiring a pre-event medical meeting of officials, coaches, athletic trainers and site managers. "In 2024, the WIAA initiated a rule for a pre event game medical meeting," Waltenberg said, and praised the athletic director for consistently holding those meetings at varsity home contests.
Waltenberg also described a district-wide sudden cardiac arrest drill, coordinated CPR teams that include trained students and staff, and investment in a cold-water immersion device (a "polar pod") provided by the Amherst Fire District. She discussed collaborating with EMS, grounds and coaches to provide shade, cooling and policy adjustments during high-heat months and said the district has been invited to serve on national safety committees because of its work.
Board members thanked Waltenberg for the update and for years of service. The board did not take formal action at this presentation but acknowledged the safety benefits and community partnerships she outlined.
