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Systemwide Safety Programs → Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Program

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program

AED Program Overview 

Loaner AEDs for Field Trips 

CPR/AED Training for Athletics and Intramurals 

 

 

Automated External Defibrillator

 

AED Program Overview

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in MCPS Facilities  

All MCPS schools are equipped with AEDs.  State and county legislation require MCPS to operate a district AED program for all secondary schools and any facilities with MCPS-managed swimming pools.  Each high school with an athletics program is equipped with three AEDs in wall-mounted cabinets: one by the main office, one by the main gymnasium, and one in proximity to the stadium field (typically in the ticket booth or the concession stand).  Additionally, portable AEDs are assigned to the athletics specialists for use at school athletic events and practices.  Each middle school and elementary school is equipped with two AEDs in wall-mounted cabinets: one by the main office and one by the main gymnasium.  AEDs are located where most appropriate in other designated facilities. 

AEDs must be available for use at all AED program schools and facilities when anyone shows signs of sudden cardiac arrest.  Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating as a result of a disruption of its electrical system.  SCA causes a cessation of cardiac activity and blood flow to the body, such that the victim becomes unresponsive with no normal breathing and no signs of circulation (movement, coughing, detectable pulse).  Without immediate treatment, SCA usually results in death.  AEDs are designed to deliver an electrical shock that restores normal heart rhythm. 

MCPS AED program guidelines, established to ensure compliance with state and county law, are linked below.  Key program requirements include employee training and monthly inspections of all AEDs by school and facility staff.  Biennial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training is provided to designated staff, including the following employees:

  • high school athletics specialists, coaches, and school security staff
  • middle school athletics staff, intramural staff, and school security staff
  • pool operators
  • at least two school employees for each elementary school

MCPS schools and facilities with AEDs must immediately contact Peter Park, Team Leader, Systemwide Safety Programs, Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management, at 301-370-2141 (cell) or via email (Peter_Park@mcpsmd.org) if:

  • a suspected cardiac arrest occurs at the school/facility (even if the AED is not retrieved)
  • AED pads are placed on anyone for any reason (including unauthorized use)
  • an AED is missing, damaged, or inoperable

Questions may be directed to Peter Park, Team Leader, Systemwide Safety Programs, Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management, at 240-740-7710 or via e-mail. 

 

Loaner AEDs for Field Trips

Field Trip Loaner AED Request Form  

MCPS schools may use the Field Trip Loaner AED Request Form to request an MCPS Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for use during a field trip with a student with a 504 plan, IEP, or IHCP requiring a readily available AED.  An MCPS employee currently certified in CPR/AED must be present throughout the field trip.  Upon completion of the field trip, the AED will be retrieved by the MCPS Systemwide Safety Programs Unit (SSP) of the Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management.  If a suspected cardiac arrest occurs for anyone participating in the field trip, the AED pads are placed on anyone for any reason, or there are any problems with the AED, the school must contact SSP as soon as possible at: 301-370-2141 or Peter_Park@mcpsmd.org.  

The form should be submitted at least two weeks before the field trip, to ensure a loaner AED is available.  If information is missing or unclear, SSP will contact the requestor for clarification.  The requestor will be notified if the request is approved, and delivery of the loaner AED will be scheduled.  The requestor will be responsible for ensuring the AED is returned in good condition. 

 
CPR/AED training

 

CPR/AED Training for Athletics and Intramural Staff

CPR/AED Training for Athletics and Intramural Staff  

All MCPS high school and middle school athletics and intramural coaches, coordinators, and directors must be certified in CPR/AED prior to participating in school-sponsored athletics or intramural activities. To maintain certification, staff must complete the training every two years. High school athletics staff receive training from MCPS certified athletic trainers, as coordinated by their athletic directors. Middle school athletics and intramural staff receive training from MCPS' AED vendor (Rescue One). The schedule of CPR/AED training sessions for middle school athletics and intramural staff for the 2022-2023 school year is below:      

  • August 1, 2023 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM 
  • August 2, 2023 (Wednesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM - Canceled due to low enrollment
  • August 3, 2023 (Thursday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM - Canceled due to low enrollment
  • August 9, 2023 (Wednesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • August 29, 2023 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • August 31, 2023 (Thursday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • September 5, 2023 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • September 12, 2023 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • September 19, 2023 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • November 15, 2023 (Wednesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • November 16, 2023 (Thursday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • December 4, 2023 (Monday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM 
  • December 5, 2023 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM 
  • February 27, 2024 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • February 28, 2024 (Wednesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  • March 4, 2024 (Monday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM 
  • March 5, 2024 (Tuesday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM 
  • March 11, 2024 (Monday) – 6:00 - 9:00 PM   

All group training sessions are reserved for MCPS employees only (8 students maximum), and they are provided free of charge to MCPS athletics and intramural staff.  All sessions will be conducted at:

Rescue One Training for Life Inc.

7621 Rickenbacker Drive, Suite 700

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Location in Google Maps

  

New information about digital eCards: MCPS employees will begin receiving digital course completion eCards instead of physical certification cards in 2021.  When registering for CPR/AED training, employees must provide one email address (an MCPS email is recommended).  After completing the training, employees will be emailed a link to download (as a PDF file) their eCard.  The eCard must be downloaded within 30 days, before the link becomes inactive.  Directions for claiming and viewing eCards can be downloaded here.  

 

To attend one of these sessions, MCPS middle school athletics and intramural staff must enroll online at Rescue One's website: www.rescue-one.com.  Directions for enrolling are below:

1.  At Rescue One's website (www.rescue-one.com), click on the Training tab and then choose Course Schedule:

    RO tab

2.  To make it easier to find the MCPS-only training sessions in the scrollable list of sessions, sort by Location: Maryland to remove all of the Delaware and Virginia sessions from the list:

 RO loc

 
3.Scroll down the list of sessions and find one of the ten sessions titled: MCPS Private Class-AHA Adult/Child CPR/AED that is scheduled for a date and time of your choosing and select Enroll: 

 

RO enroll
 
 
4.  Enter all requested information, including Employee ID #, if any and the main school where you coach in Employer Name and Department.  To ensure you are not charged, please enter one of the following MCPS discount codes:
  • Use MCPSA if you are a coach for an athletics program
  • Use MCPSI if you are an intramurals coach
  • Use MCPSAI if you coach both athletics and intramurals 

 RO code 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Peter Park, Team Leader, Systemwide Safety Programs, Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management, at Peter_Park@mcpmsd.org.