PRESS RELEASES - MAY 2008

May 21, 2008

Before the Summer Break, More Students Learn CPR
Large-Scale Training Exercise is Thursday, May 22

Who: City of Arlington, Fire Department and Dispatch Services along with AMR, Careflite and Arlington Memorial Hospital

What: CPR training for junior high school students

When: 9 a.m. Thursday, May 22

Where: Shackelford Junior High, 2000 N. Fielder, 76012 in Arlington

Why: To train students in CPR and promote a healthier, safer Arlington

Background
School isn’t out for summer yet! More than 300 students at Shackelford Junior High School are ready to learn CPR. A general assembly will begin at 9 a.m. with Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fire Chief Robin Paulsgrove, District 1 City Council member Mel LeBlanc and Shackelford Principal Carolyn Galvan.

Inside of the gymnasium, beginning at 9:50 a.m., eighth-grade students will be taught CPR throughout the day. They will view an instructional DVD that will walk them through each step of CPR training, using a manikin to do chest compressions and rescue breathing. Some of the eighth-graders, after they have received their training, will go into the library to demonstrate to the seventh-grade students the techniques of CPR. The lesson on Thursday also includes a homework assignment. The Mayor is asking each student to take what they’ve learned home to their families and friends and to teach them as well.

As part of the CPaRlington initiative, the City of Arlington has set a five-year goal to train 10 percent of its population, or approximately 36,000 residents, the techniques of cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Since the program was launched in April 2006, more than 15,000 residents have learned this valuable life-saving skill.

For more information about CPaRlington, visit the City of Arlington web site at www.arlingtontx.gov or www.cparlington.org or call the Arlington Fire Department at 817-459-5500.

Editor’s Note: Excellent video and photo opportunities