Code Red Initiative at CHS

A group of Cabot High School students is helping to make their campus safer.

Students in the Emergency Preparedness Medical class have been assessing the strengths and weaknesses of emergency action plans involving cardiac emergencies on campus. The goal of the “Code Red Initiative” is to provide a safer learning environment not only for students but staff.

During the 2018-2019 school year, students gathered and collected data including: 

• Identifying teachers who are currently CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certified & trained to handle cardiac emergencies.
• Surveying teachers on where the closest AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is to their classroom.
• Calculating the average response time from the nurse's station to all areas on campus.
• Taking inventory on emergency equipment and identifying areas in need.

Following their research, students made recommendations to the CHS administration team. Many of the recommendations have now been implemented. 

*A professional development session was added last summer to allow more teachers to become AED/CPR/Stop the Bleed certified. 

*Stickers have also been added to teacher/administer classroom doors who are CPR certified to easily identify those who can assist in case of an emergency. The CHS EAST class was instrumental in collaborating on the design and creating the stickers. 

*The Emergency Preparedness Medical class also purchased signs that were recently installed above all AED's on campus to increase visibility.

*In the near future, AED maps will be placed in all classrooms (similar to severe weather maps already located in buildings) to help staff easily locate emergency equipment closest to them.

*Students were also instrumental in writing a grant to help purchase a new AED for the Agriculture/Broadcasting building.

The next goal is to take the “Code Red Initiative” to the Cabot Freshman Academy. 

The Emergency Preparedness Medical class and teacher Lyndsey Rich would like to thank Cabot High School Principal Henry Hawkins and his administration, Career & Technical Coordinator Nicole Gatewood, Nursing Coordinator Vonda Morgan, RN Melinda Gardner, RN Julie Miller, the Blue Cross Blue Shield “Blue & You Foundation” grant, as well as Assistant Superintendent Michael Byrd for their support in the “Code Red Initiative.”