Portage High School is proud to announce that it has been officially recognized as a Project ADAM Heart Safe School. This prestigious designation is awarded to schools that have successfully implemented a comprehensive sudden cardiac arrest program, prioritizing awareness, training, and effective emergency response to create a Heart Safe environment for all students, staff, and visitors.
To earn this distinction, Portage High School followed Project ADAM's checklist of best practices, which includes establishing a school cardiac emergency response plan, placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in accessible locations throughout the school, training staff in CPR and AED use, and conducting sudden cardiac arrest emergency response drills.
"I am so proud of our staff at Portage High School for the work they put into becoming a Heart Safe School," Dr. Amanda Alaniz, Portage Township Schools Superintendent, said. "It’s comforting to know that we are well equipped to save a life in the event of a sudden cardiac emergency at our high school."
PTS Director of Health Services Megan Clay suggested working towards the Heart Safe School distinction. Over the past three years, Clay has expanded the district’s medical emergency preparation by installing additional AEDs in all PTS schools, equipping the AED cabinets with Narcan, and offering frequent CPR courses to staff.
“The safety of our students and staff is something I take great honor in playing a role in,” Clay said. “I am excited to continue developing our staff and student education regarding sudden cardiac arrest and AED use.”
Clay will continue to work with the rest of the PTS schools to earn Heart Safe Schools designations as well.
“Our district staff and students are excited about this initiative, and I think their enthusiasm to take part in this is a great example of what it means to be Portage Proud,” Clay said.
Project ADAM is a national nonprofit organization that partners with schools to establish sustainable sudden cardiac arrest response programs. Through their Heart Safe School initiative, they provide resources, training, and support to help schools like Portage High School create a safer environment for all.