Red Cross teaches first aid to younger pupils
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NEW BRUNSWICK - The American Red Cross of Central New Jersey has introduced the School Safety Initiative, which will offer basic lifesaving skills training to the 2,700 students in the district over the next two years.

Implemented two years ago in Trenton, the Central New Jersey chapter is seeking to expand the program to towns in Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon and parts of Somerset counties. Although North Brunswick and Old Bridge began the program on their own a few years ago, New Brunswick will receive assistance from the Red Cross in integrating the program into its existing curriculum and obtaining funding.

"We see the importance of schools, so we are being more aggressive with the schools," said Sue Franson, the senior program director.

The two programs being offered are Basic Aid Training (BAT), which introduces students in third through fifth grade to safety information and first aid procedures for breathing difficulties, bleeding, poisoning, burns and shock; and Community First Aid and Safety, which focuses on overcoming reluctance in acting in an emergency situation and caring for life-threatening respiratory or cardiac emergencies in adults, children and infants.

High school students will become certified in CPR and first aid.

The Red Cross will begin training faculty members and hope to begin teaching the programs early in the new year, according to Franson.

"The American Red Cross is committed to saving lives. By providing children with safety programs at an early age, we are better preparing them to respond to emergencies throughout their lives," said Kevin Sullivan, CEO of the Central Jersey chapter.

The partnership involves the assistance of DCH Auto Group, which has 17 dealerships throughout the state, and the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers.

"By working together, our goal is to dramatically improve children's safety from injury and other emergencies in this community. We look forward to achieving the same success as in Trenton and to the further extension of the program to other school districts," DCH president and CEO Shau-Wai Lam said.

For more information, visit www.njredcross.org or call (609) 951-8550.