Regulations related to response to cardiac emergencies in schools were recently adopted by New York state.
Details on the district’s protocol for handling such emergencies will now be added to the VCSD 2025-26 District Safety Plan.
The public is invited to review this protocol and provide comment on this part of the plan in advance of a public hearing by the Board of Education on Oct. 6.
Comments may be sent to the Board of Education or to Superintendent Frank Macri.
DRAFT Cardiac Emergency Response Annex
All staff know where Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) are located and how to call for help. AED cases should contain supplies for first responders including gloves, CPR barrier device, and scissors. Staff outside or off school property should always carry communication devices and emergency contact information for assistance.
Warning signs or signs of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) or similar life-threatening emergency:
- Racing heart, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or extreme fatigue with exercise
- Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
- Excessive shortness of breath during exercise
- Excessive unexpected fatigue during or after exercise
- History of recurrent fainting or unusual seizures
- Sudden collapse or “passes out”
- Not responsive
- Abnormal breathing
- No pulse
Steps to take in school building, on school grounds, or at athletic events
1. Ensure scene safety
a. Survey the area to protect victim, yourself, and anyone else nearby (e.g., remove victim from water or unstable surface to a stable level surface, cease athletic play, move bystanders from area etc.)
2. Shout for help. If alone, call for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) via 911 or in accordance with district policy and obtain Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
a. Follow 911 emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
b. *Call for any Certified Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) certified school personnel and notify administration or designee.
3. CPR by CPR/AED certified school personnel
a. Check for breathing- if none or person gasping begin CPR immediately.
4. Defibrillation by CPR/AED certified school personnel
a. Use an AED to restore the heart to its normal rhythm.
1. EMS assumes lead upon arrival.
• If a student is the person needing care, school administration or designee should accompany the student to the hospital until the parent/guardian arrives.
• Be prepared to download the school’s AED data onto flash drive to provide to EMS to give to the emergency department’s physician.
2. School administration or designee notifies
• parent/guardian or staff member’s emergency contact in accordance with district policy.
3. Document
• In accordance with district policy, document event including observations, all steps taken and by whom, who was notified, and information reported to EMS.
4. Hold a post event debriefing
2025-26 District-Wide Safety Plan
The safety of children is our top priority at Voorheesville Central School District. All members of our school community have a role in school safety, and knowing how to respond in the event of an emergency is an important part of this.
The Voorheesville Central School District maintains a district-wide safety plan. The plan is designed to prevent or minimize the effects of violent incidents and emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of schools and school districts with local and county resources in the event of such incidents or emergencies.
View the full district-wide safety plan for the 2025-26 school year.