Pennsylvania leads the way in facilitating school-site AED programs

December 12, 2001

Free automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are now available for schools in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, thanks to a new program that is the first of its kind in the nation. Act 4 of 2001, approved by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed by Governor Tom Ridge last May, established a one-time AED program to assist school entities to acquire the lifesaving devices. The funds were appropriated by the General Assembly and after a bidding process, the statewide contract for two AEDs per school district was awarded.

As a result, each school district will now be offered two free AEDs and each intermediate unit and area vocational-technical school will be offered one free AED. In addition, AEDs will be made available to other school entities including non-public, private, charter and independent schools that meet program requirements.

For application information, see http://www.pde.state.pa.us/AEDintro.html". For additional information, contact Tom Stubits, School Services Unit, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Pennsylvania Department of Education; (717) 783-8088 or by e-mail to tstubits@state.pa.us.