Firefighters, schools partner for CPR training

An agreement between Madison Fire and Rescue Department and Madison City Schools will help in emergency situations on and off campus.

Seven firefighters will train and re-certify school coaches and employees in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to meet American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) standards.

“Our first collaboration was Aug. 13 at Bob Jones High School with about 60 people,” Nancy Bocchino said. Bocchino works as health educator for Madison City Schools. Her colleague Bonnie Davis works as system supervisor for nurses. Bocchino and Davis both are registered nurses and Central Office employees.

Capt. Stacy Haraway will coordinate training for about 20 school employees on Aug. 16 at Fire Station #1. The training also explains solutions for choking.

Before this new direction in training, all coaches were CPR-certified by American Red Cross. The state requires that coaches are certified, and Madison City Schools added the requirement for physical education teachers.

This effort ties each Madison campus with a nearby fire station. “Our goal through the year is to get as many people certified in the community as possible,” Bocchino said.

A nurse works in each Madison school. All schools have an automated external defibrillator (AED).

In other health news, students who need updated shots can go to the health department in Huntsville through Aug. 22 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Parents should complete the health assessment form, which will be sent home usually on the first day of school. “We need to be aware of students’ health conditions,” Bocchino said.

At Bob Jones, Bocchino and Davis help 15 students with Type 1 diabetes. James Clemens High School has two students with the condition. Other conditions include seizure, asthma, allergies needing epinephrine injections (EpiPen) and daily medication.

“Students cannot carry medication, except when approved for diabetes or asthma,” Bocchino said. “Parents must bring medication to school and complete the parent/prescriber form for both prescriptions and over-the-counter medicine.”