Fiesta Sports Foundation donating defibrillators to save lives at Arizona schools

PHOENIX — Multiple Arizona schools are getting free life-saving equipment thanks to the Fiesta Sports Foundation.

Twenty-five automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are being distributed to keep students and staff safe during emergencies, according to Kristina Chumpol, the nonprofit’s chief of staff.

“We know with AEDs, it’s minutes matter,” Chumpol told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “When you’re in that cardiac emergency situation, it’s not something that can wait.”

Why is Fiesta Sports Foundation giving Arizona schools defibrillators?

The charity is giving out these electronic devices through its AED assistance program, which kicked off last year.

Chumpol said Arizona law doesn’t require AEDs to be in schools. Thus, many buildings either don’t have defibrillators or have outdated devices.

“Last year, at one of the schools that we brought AEDs to, in Avondale, that AED had to get put to use,” she said. “It was life-saving.”

AED assistance program gives life-saving equipment and education

Many schools struggle to afford the purchase or replacement of AEDs, making this program invaluable, according to Jerry Wissink of the Legacy Foundation, a partner in the initiative.

In addition to providing the devices, the program includes staff training in first aid and AED use.

Wissink recently completed the course alongside teachers.

“It entails all aspects of first aid and then how to use the actual AED unit itself — the placement of it and doing it the right way,” Wissink said.

That training is critical because it equips staff to respond in emergencies, according to Chumpol.

“We have a train the trainer model, which ensures that all of the staff that received training this last week, they are now trainers through the American Red Cross. They can train the other teachers, the other staff members across their district,” Chumpol said.

One school that benefitted from this year’s program was the Phoenix Elementary School District, which received 14 new AEDs. One of those was a portable AED to be used on field trips.

Superintendent Deborah Gonzalez said these devices make parents and staff feel safer.

“Our mechanics, our kitchen staff, they’re working in situations where there could be something that happens,” Gonzalez said. “To have the equipment there — where somebody is trained to be able to respond immediately — makes everyone rest easier.”

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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