Your attention, please. This IS a drill.
It’s 3 o’clock at Arrowhead Elementary, and someone has fallen unconscious in the library. That someone is represented by a dummy.
Fortunately, staff members are trained and ready to respond. They jump into action, assessing the situation, starting heart compressions and using the school’s automated external defibrillator (AED).
As part of the drill, 911 is called and the front office is notified. Within about 90 seconds, the mock patient is no longer under duress. School staff passed the drill and demonstrated they’re ready to save a life.
This scene is repeating itself across Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
The division’s Health Services team has led a coordinated initiative to strengthen cardiac emergency preparedness through collaborative work with Project ADAM and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond
The work includes developing standardized cardiac emergency procedures, establishing trained response teams, ensuring alignment with Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services, and expanding staff education on sudden cardiac arrest.
As a result, 23 VBCPS schools have already achieved the Heart Safe School designation, and 169 staff members have been trained and certified in using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AEDs).
In addition, more than 35 schools have completed full cardiac emergency response drills to test their emergency plans, communication procedures and team readiness.
“These drills help identify potential challenges, reduce anxiety and build confidence among responders,” said Susan Brown, nursing specialist with VBCPS Health Services. “Several of the drills included participation from local EMS and fire departments, strengthening coordination and demonstrating the valuable partnership between our schools and first responders in preparing for cardiac emergencies.”
When the drill ended at Arrowhead Elementary, Brown commended the group.
“Great job!” she said. Then she went through a checklist of questions, assessing whether anything needed more clarity or improvement. But the team performed nearly perfectly, finishing the drill in about half of the time required.
In addition to school nurse Meredith Strickland and security staff, trainees included a library specialist, a music specialist, a special education teacher and front office staff members, including principal Lisa Riley and assistant principal Karen Bennett.
“I truly appreciate everyone on our team,” Nurse Strickland said. “Each person plays an important role. Even the office staff not at the scene quickly receive information over the walkie-talkie and make the announcement to the school.”
State law mandates that all public elementary and secondary schools implement evidence‑based Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs).
Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillation in Adam’s Memory) is a national nonprofit committed to saving lives through advocacy, education, preparedness and collaboration. It was developed in memory of Wisconsin teen Adam Lemel, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, collapsed and died while playing basketball in 1999. Defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator could have saved his life.
In 2022, Children’s Hospital of Richmond became the first and only Project ADAM affiliate in Virginia. This designation means a team at the hospital can grant the designation of “Project ADAM heart safe school” to any school in the state that meets the criteria to show its preparedness for responding to a sudden cardiac arrest on school grounds.
