Nice story from Diocese of Orlando on the progress that has been made since Phase 1 of their School Security Program began in May 2018. The article features the services we provide, "Life Safety Solutions is a Florida-based company that specializes in loss control, risk management, and safety and security services. The security team has been on the ground in Central Florida since May 2018 and has completed vulnerability assessments for 37 schools and early learning centers along with their parish communities."

Recent tragic incidents in our schools have made school safety a priority for communities, administrators, parents and students. In response, the Catholic Diocese of Orlando of Central Florida has announced the rollout of a Parish and School Security Program. Life Safety Solutions has been selected by the diocese to carry out assessments for 40 schools and 36 parishes. After completing the assessments, Life Safety Solutions will present prioritized, site-specific recommendations, and provide crisis response training and drills.

​Dave Magruder, Life Safety Solutions President, states, "It is extremely unfortunate that current events make it necessary to address heightened safety and security issues. That said, we are impressed with the dedication of Diocese of Orlando in their efforts to prioritize the safety of its parishes and schools, and we are humbled to be selected to provide these additional services.

One Million Epinephrine Auto-Injectors donated to schools in 2017
Today, Mylan announced their EpiPen4Schools Program has donated over 1,000,000 Epinephrine Auto-Injectors. Their program helps ensure that epinephrine - the only first-line treatment for a life-threatening allergic reaction, anaphylaxis - is available to those experiencing anaphylaxis in a school setting.

Related allergy resources:
FARE - Food Allergy Reserach & Education
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Instructors Bryan and Bruce conduct First Aid, CPR AED, Emergency Epinephrine and Bloodborne Pathogen training earlier today for school staff. What a great group of participants, working hard and learning to save lives on a Friday afternoon! Teachers are the best! 

This Today Show story highlights the devastating outcome that can occur when an AED is not available at school sports venues. Children who suffer a cardiac arrest while participating in school sports, have a good chance of survival if an AED is nearby and used quickly. Oftentimes, the victim has an undetected heart defect. An AED can shock the victim's heart back into a livable rhythm until EMS/paramedics arrive. 

In Florida, statutes require that "each public school that is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association must have an operational automated external defibrillator on the school grounds," although does not specifically address the proximity to each playing field the AED must located.

This amazing video captures it all. Great save. AEDs in schools and trained first responders save lives. Thanks to Children's Health Atlanta for sharing this important message.

Life Safety Solutions, proud distributor of Allergy Emergency Kit cabinets, is excited to be working with a long-time schools client who is now partnering with us to proactively provide Emergency Epinephrine Program Management services and products throughout their school system. As part of this program, we recently delivered seventeen Allergy Emergency Kit cabinets and signage, and installed EpiPen auto-injectors and instruction cards in the cabinets. Our instructors provided the school staff with Anaphylaxis Awareness and Emergency Allergy Treatment Training. Says owner Dave Magruder, "This is one of the first such programs we know of initiated by a school system in the state of Florida." Several more Allergy Emergency Kit cabinets and EpiPen auto-injectors will be added to the program this month.

Growing Awareness of Anaphylaxis - A Severe, Potentially Life-threatening Allergic Reaction   
Anaphylaxis Awareness has increased over the years due to the efforts of families directly affected by anaphylaxis, concerned parents and teachers, medical professionals, and lawmakers. One such group out of Australia produced this video, Anaphylaxis and Allergy Awareness | 100Faces Campaign, that paints a very real picture of children who suffer from severe life-threatening allergies. A greater understanding will allow our communities to be more vigilant in preventing unnecessary exposure, and recognize signs of an attack more quickly in order to give the victim the best chance for survival.

Laws Changing to Allow Emergency Access to Epinephrine Auto-injectors*
New state laws are making emergency epinephrine auto-injectors more accessible in public and private places where children (and others) are likely to have a higher incidence of exposure to common food and environmental allergens, such as schools and restaurants (and even Disney Parks). Many children and adults do not know they are severely allergic until they become exposed and have a life-threatening allergic reaction. People can suddenly have a severe reaction to an allergen that has never before caused a problem for them. In these cases, where the victim does not already have their own prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, accessible emergency epinephrine supplies can save a life! New Allergy Emergency Kit cabinets store and promote emergency access to epinephrine auto-injectors for schools and businesses.

*2015 Florida Statutes -(381.885) - Epinephrine Auto-injectors, Emergency Administration
*2015 Florida Statutes–(1002.20, (3), i, 2.) - Epinephrine Use and Supply

Emergency Epinephrine Access Program for Schools
Life Safety Solutions is pleased to offer our Schools - Emergency Epinephrine Access Management Program. Services include Emergency Allergy Treatment Training, Medical Direction, and assistance in applying for and delivery of the FREE epinephrine auto-injectors through the EpiPen4Schools program (to qualifying schools). Additionally, we order and deliver the Allergy Emergency Kit cabinets and signage and install the auto-injectors and instruction cards in the cabinets. We track all EpiPen auto-injector assigned locations and expirations and facilitate restocking due to use or expiration.

Emergency Allergy Kit Wall Cabinets
These cabinets provide a secure way to store epinephrine auto-injectors in a locked cabinet, while still making it available when needed for emergency access without a key. School safety managers and school nurses are expressing interest and are placing orders. To learn more about this product, please visit Allergy Emergency Kit cabinets.