Freehold Twp. Moves to Require CPR Training for Non-Profit Youth Workers

I don’t know how anybody can be against this.

There’s a move on to require CPR/AED training for anyone who works with kids 18 and under with a non profit organization.

The move is what Freehold Township Mayor Anthony Ammiano is proposing to make the township a “heart-safe” town.

According to this,

Municipal officials have introduced an ordinance that, if adopted, will make it mandatory for anyone who serves with a nonprofit organization for youngsters under the age of 18 to be certified in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator (CPR/AED) use.

The idea to have people who work with youngsters trained and certified in CPR/AED is an outgrowth from a May incident in which Sean Neely, of Freehold Township, was playing catcher in a Freehold Township Little League baseball game at Michael J. Tighe Park. Sean was hit in the chest by a foul ball and the impact of the ball on his chest caused his heart to stop beating.

Due to the quick action of Little League coaches and parents who immediately performed CPR on the 12-year-old on the field that day, the youngster is alive and doing well.

Ammiano has since made it his mission to have as many people in Freehold Township as possible trained in CPR/AED to make sure children, as well as adults, are protected and that those in charge are capable of performing the life-saving procedures.

Ammiano said he thinks the added cost to coaches and employees in order to save the life of someone like Sean will be of benefit to children and adults.’
Ammiano said he does not anticipate any objection to the ordinance by residents when the proposed law comes up for a public hearing on Dec. 18.

The mayor added that he is still researching the possibility of securing outside funding sources to defray the cost of the CPR/AED training course, which he said is usually about $50.

He said he is still working with officials at CentraState Healthcare Foundation, which has supported the effort in the past.

After talks with Ammiano in the summer, the foundation provided a CPR/AED training course for township residents for $20 per person.

Anyone who is part of recreational, cultural, charitable, social or other activities or services for persons younger than 18, and is exempt from federal income taxes, will need to have the certification, according to the ordinance.

This means that volunteer coaches, as well as full-time, part-time and seasonal employees of the Department of Parks and Recreation, will need to have a current, valid CPR/AED certification.

It affects anyone who coaches, supervises, manages or participates in any nonprofit youth-serving organization.

According to the ordinance, all coaches and township employees will have 90 days from the date of the adoption of the ordinance to attain the required certification.

So just as you would have an ordinance requiring a background check for anyone working with one of the aforementioned organizations, why not require CPR/AED training as well?

I don’t see any downside…do you?

Do you feel anyone who works with kids 18 and younger in nonprofit organizations should have a CPR/AED certification?