Partnership Improves School Safety

Published September 17, 2009

It's one of those things you hope you never have to use, but in the event of an emergency it's nice to know it's there. It's called an Automatic External Defibrillator, or AED for short, and it's used to treat someone who's suffering from a life-threatening irregular heartbeat.

Last year, a Franklin-based company called Dixie Medical partnered with Williamson County Schools to provide 51 AED units to the district. The district purchased 23 of the units - the other 28 were donated. "That was about a $30,000 donation to the school district," says WCS Purchasing Manager Kirk Elliott. "We have AED's in every school now."

Prior to the donation, Williamson County Schools had less than two dozen AED's. In 2007, the Board of Education set aside funds to purchase more units. Thanks to Dixie Medical's generous donation, the district was able to more than double the number of AED units in the schools. "Two years ago we had fewer than 20 various makes, models and brands of AED units," said Elliott. "Now we have 51 units that are all consistent, providing the school district with a very valuable AED program."

Dixie Medical President Matt Spencer says he was happy to partner with Williamson County Schools for such an important cause. "It's nice to see that the district understands the importance of placing AED units in the schools," said Spencer. "Because you won't even think about it until you go down or someone you know goes down. I hear stories everyday of someone getting saved."

In addition to providing the AED's, Dixie Medical will inspect the units each year and provide maintenance when needed. WCS Health Services Coordinator Jill Casada works with each school nurse to make sure they are trained to use the AED units in the event of an emergency.