September 2011-The St. Louis Fire Department has provided equipment, training and initial program management for the development of a Public Access Defibrillation Program covering 75 St. Louis Public School buildings. Funding for this program was made possible through a grant from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The purpose of this program is to provide immediate assistance to more than 25,000 students, teachers, administrators and visitors in the unfortunate case of cardiac arrest.

The training of more than 300 staff included Coaches, Physical Education Teachers, School Nurses and School Safety Officers in a series of 3 hour classes has also been provided. Instruction was carried out by members of the St. Louis Fire Department following the American Heart Association curriculum.