DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – Duval County Public Schools is making some changes to improve the inspection of automated external defibrillators (AED), after a report from the Office of Inspector General found some issues with its safety inspection reports.
Cardiac arrest can happen in just a matter of seconds. That’s why automated external defibrillators (AED) are critical for saving lives.
For many local parents, knowing the devices are working in all schools and all facilities is a big priority.
Jodi Smith lives in Duval County and has four children.
“It’s a simple, life-saving device,” Smith said. “It comes with instructions on how to do it, I think it’s critical to support the health and safety of our students, our teachers, and our families.”
Kenya Buice is also a Duval County Schools parent who agreed with Smith.
“You don’t need anything malfunctioning during that time,” Buice said. “The AED, that would be a major issue if it didn’t work in a time of need.”
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The district said it is working to make sure that doesn’t happen.
According to a report from the Office of Inspector General with the city of Jacksonville, an investigation started after it received a tip that an AED located at a DCPS Consolidated Warehouse on the Northside “was not operational when needed due to a depleted battery.” An internal investigation through the district confirmed that was not true. In fact, the report said, “...the AED indicated a 25% battery life, and the device was fully operational.”
The district later clarified, releasing a statement to News4JAX that said:
“We can share with you that an employee did tragically pass away despite life-saving efforts from their colleagues and rescue personnel.”
The OIG later confirmed separately, that person died of an aneurysm, not a heart-related condition. Though the depleted battery claim was confirmed to be false, as part of its investigation, the OIG said it requested safety inspection reports from the warehouse going back to 2019 and made some interesting findings.
Its report said there were no notes in the reports that the AEDs were inspected. Furthermore, it said no DCPS Safety Inspection Checklists for AEDs were provided.
The rules show all AEDs should be checked every day to make sure the handle is green.
As part of the changes, the district outlined some measures to ensure proper record-keeping. This includes the implementation of a Safety Equipment Inspection Checklist. With this, the report says principals and department heads will appoint someone to make sure the mandatory checklist is completed. The report says there will also be a subsection for the AEDs specifically noting any problems that are found, and corrective actions taken.
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In a letter back to the OIG, Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said the district is listening to the results of the investigation.
“Please know we take the findings of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) very seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals at our facilities,” Bernier wrote. “We are dedicated to making the necessary improvements and changes to our AED program. Our goal is to maintain a safe, healthy workplace and to be prepared for any emergencies that may arise. We appreciate the OIG’s efforts in helping us improve our safety protocols and will work diligently to implement these recommendations.”
Parents, including Smith, are grateful to see the district is taking steps.
″I’m glad they’re making the changes needed to keep the community safe,” Smith said. “At least they’re making the changes and moving forward with a new policy.”
You can read the OIG’s full report here.