Cardiac Emergency Response Plans will save lives
American Heart Association says legislative session – and school year – can’t end without the adoption of this important measure
ALBANY, N.Y., June 9, 2025 – If a cardiac emergency happened at a school, who would know what to do? Would people know where the AED is? Who’s trained in CPR?
Cardiac Emergency Response Plans would provide an answer to all those questions – and more. That’s why the American heart Association, a global force for a world of longer, healthier lives, has advocated for passage of A.785-A/S.5539-A, to establish Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in New York’s schools. S.5539A is sponsored by state Senator April M.N. Baskin and A.785-A is sponsored by state Assemblymember Michaelle Solages. By outlining the steps needed, these plans could prevent the loss of lives to sudden cardiac arrest.
“When the unthinkable happens and a cardiac event occurs on a school property, every second counts,” said state Sen. April N.M. Baskin, sponsor of S.5539A. “This critical issue hits close to home. My young cousin suffered a cardiac event at school and lost her life because there wasn’t a plan in place to access the life-saving equipment in the building. With a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and AEDs on-site, the outcome can be much different, increasing the individual’s chance of survival.”
“During CPR and AED Awareness Month, we’re reminded that knowing how to respond in a cardiac emergency can mean the difference between life and death,” said Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, sponsor of A.785-A. “That’s why I’m proud to sponsor legislation requiring Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in every New York school. AEDs save lives—but only if people know how to use them and when. This bill ensures our schools are prepared. Let’s not let this session end without taking action.”
June is CPR and AED Awareness Month and the need for this legislation is critical to increasing survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest.
Each year, 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, and only 10 percent survive. With about 2,418,513 students enrolled in New York public schools in pre-K to grade 12; and 215,701 public school teachers, numerous parents, and community members using schools daily, it is important that school facilities have a plan in place to address cardiac arrest. It is estimated that there are more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the U.S.
“AEDs are in every school in New York, but currently there is not a plan in every school on how to utilize them when a sudden cardiac arrest occurs,” said Kaweeda Adams, Advocacy Ambassador for the American Heart Association in New York, and past superintendent of the Albany City School District. “We know that when a sudden cardiac arrest occurs every second matters. A cardiac emergency response plan allows the person to receive care more quickly, increasing their chance for survival.”
The American Heart Association’s history with CPR goes back more than 50 years, with the creation of CPR. The association updates the guidelines regularly, which led to the creation of Hands-Only CPR. There are only two steps to Hands-Only CPR: call 911, and push hard and fast in the center of the victim’s chest.
The association assisted in passing Louis’ Law, which put AEDs in public schools in 2002. It also passed the CPR in Schools Law, which required that everyone who graduates from a New York school know Hands-Only CPR. It is critical to strengthen New York’s commitment to protecting young lives by updating school safety policies to ensure schools can respond effectively to cardiac emergencies. A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan can increase survival rates from cardiac arrest by 50% or more by enabling a trained lay-responder team to act. Passage of A.785-A/S.5539-A establishing a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in schools will save lives.
“We don’t want this school year, or this legislative session, to end without passage of this critical legislation that can and will save lives,” Adams said.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
