CBCS earns designation as Heart Safe School

Jeston Morris

Gila River Indian News

The Casa Blanca Community School (CBCS) is recognized as the first ‘Heart Safe School’ in Phoenix and Northern Arizona region by Project Adam at CBCS’s gymnasium in Bapchule on May 15.

Representatives from the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Project Adam, Jodi M. Kiernan, pediatric nurse practitioner and the Project Adam program coordinator, and Vincent J. Palmieri, a pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist and the medical director for Project Adam, brought a recognition banner to CBCS. They both represent the Phoenix and Northern Arizona region for Project Adam. 

According to Kiernan, Project Adam is a national organization that helps schools create a cardiac emergency response plan and team. The team practices Automated External Defibrillator (AED) drills. The AED drill prepares the team for cardiac emergencies on campus. The goal is to get aid to the victim within three minutes. 

“Normally we have our fire drill, we have lockdown drill, and we have mass evacuation drill. Now we have a new one, it’s called AED drill,” said CBCS Principal Kim Franklin.

Once the school achieves the three-minute criteria, they earn a certification of a Heart Safe School through Project Adam and a banner was given to the school. There are two schools in Tucson with the Heart Safe School designation. CBCS is the first school in Phoenix and Northern Arizona region.

The entire student body of CBCS assembled inside the gymnasium for the Project Adam designation. The event started with Pledge of Allegiance led by the students who also performed a song and dance. Principal Franklin moderated the esteem panel for Project Adam. Two students presented a thank you gift to Kiernan and Palmieri. At the conclusion of the event the new Heart Safe School banner was revealed.

“I think it’s incredibly impactful. And I think it’s a massive step for Arizona and for our region to have this certification,” said Palmieri. “My hope is that this will be the first of many schools who get this distinction to keep the school children, staff and visitors safe.”