The automated external defibrillator (AED) at the Loveland Town Clock

“I think the new law by Governor DeWine is definitely needed. If this can save one life, then it is worth it.”

– Loveland High School Athletic Director Jayson Bruce

by David Miller

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 47 on Wednesday. The new law will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be placed in every public and chartered nonpublic school in Ohio, as well as all municipally owned or operated sports and recreation locations.

It will also require schools to adopt emergency action plans for the use of AEDs and practice these plans quarterly, among other provisions.

Watch Press Conference: Click Here to View Full Bill-Signing Ceremony (via Facebook)

Among those in attendance for Tuesday’s bill-signing ceremony were representatives from the NFL and several other organizations that make up the Smart Heart Sports Coalition.

Loveland City Manager Dave Kennedy told Loveland Magazine that there is an AED at the Loveland Bike Trail next to the town clock at West Loveland Avenue and Railroad Avenue, Phillips Park, and McCoy Park. “We have cameras protecting the AED’s and if the alarms go off when accessed, the communication center will see them first hand.”

Loveland High School Athletic Director Jayson Bruce told Loveland Magazine, “We have been extremely blessed to have been way ahead of this for many years here in Loveland. As a matter of fact, Loveland High, Middle and Intermediate schools are all certified as Heart Safe schools through Project ADAM. And as part of this certification, we had to create and execute plans to respond to heart emergencies. A huge part of these plans are the AED’s. Our High School and Middle/Intermediate school campuses are extremely well equipped with AED’s for not only the school day, but all of our athletic teams. The number one priority is and always will be safety. We are blessed to be able to provide access to AED’s to all of our sports teams.”

Bruce said that on the High School campus their trainers have an AED with them at all times. There is also an AED mounted on the outside of the team room at Loveland High School Stadium. At Loveland High School, they have AED’s mounted outside of the gyms and the workout facility. Bruce added, “We also have backpack units that go along with our teams that train or participate off campus, like cross country, etc.”

The Loveland Middle and Intermediate school campus is very similar to the High School. “We have AED’s mounted directly outside of each gym. The trainer, who is at football practices and games, always has an AED with them. Since we have teams that practice off campus as well, we send them with AED’s,” Bruce said.

Founded in March 2023 in response to the life-saving emergency response and care provided to Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin after he experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, the Smart Heart Sports Coalition is comprised of nearly 40 member organizations – including major sports leagues and organizations, as well as leading patient and health advocacy groups across the country – that advocate for efforts to prevent fatalities from sudden cardiac arrest among student-athletes. (Click here to read letter of support from Damar Hamlin)

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The following individuals/organizations involved with the coalition offered statements in support of Governor DeWine’s signing of HB 47:

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE & RELATED INDIVIDUALS

T.J. Carrie, Founder, T.J. Carrie Foundation, NFL Cornerback
“Governor DeWine, we are honored to be a part of this significant milestone. The dedication, vision, and countless hours of effort from many individuals have driven transformative change for our communities. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported HB 47 and made this achievement possible.”

Kenneth Edmonds, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, National Football League
“On behalf of the National Football League and the nearly 40 members of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, I applaud Governor DeWine and the Ohio legislature for enacting this common-sense, life-saving measure. With this bill crossing the goal line and into law, Ohio’s school communities and athletic venues are better equipped and prepared to swing into action and respond effectively to a cardiac emergency if it occurs. This is a victory for student safety.”

Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills Safety
“Today’s bill-signing is a testament to leadership and teamwork, and I thank and applaud Governor DeWine, the leaders of the Ohio legislature, the bill sponsors, and the many Smart Heart Sports Coalition team members who came together to move this life-saving legislation forward. I’ll always consider Ohio my second home, and I’m delighted that this new law makes the places around the state where young people learn, play, and compete safer, more resilient, and better prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency. This is a big win for young people throughout Ohio.” (Click here to read letter of support from Damar Hamlin)

Paul B. Sparling, Head Athletic Trainer Emeritus, Cincinnati Bengals
“By signing this bill, once it is fully implemented, it is just a matter of time before someone who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at an athletic event or facility in Ohio will be given a second chance at life. I had a ‘front row seat’ at the SCA episode involving Damar Hamlin in January 2023, and got to witness the end result of planning, preparing, practicing, and execution of a well-designed emergency action plan and use of CPR and an AED.  Thank you to all of those involved in sponsoring and supporting this life-saving legislation.”

Denzel Ward, Founder/President, Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, Cleveland Browns Cornerback
“This legislation is so important and I’m glad to see Ohio taking such strides in the right direction to help avoid heart-related fatalities. Having grown up in Cleveland and being an Ohio State Buckeye and Cleveland Brown, it’s an honor to use my platform to advance the safety measures in place for our communities.”

Nicole Ward, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Make Them Know Your Name Foundation (Denzel’s Mother)
“When my son Denzel got drafted to the Cleveland Browns and we set up the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, our vision was always to take part in life-changing heart health initiatives like HB 47. It’s not lost on me the number of tragedies many of us have had to face to get to this point, and it brings a sense of pride that the story of my family’s tragedy played a part in making this bill a reality.”

OTHER “SMART HEART” ORGANIZATIONS

American Heart Association
“The American Heart Association appreciates the legislature and the governor for supporting legislation that will require the placement of AEDs in all public schools along with a requirement that emergency action plans be adopted at these sites and for staff to be trained in using AEDs. This life-saving policy compliments and reinforces Ohio’s existing requirement that coaches be certified in CPR. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes and most commonly occurs during or just after physical exertion, while engaged in practice sessions, organized competition, or other sports activities. With only seconds to react and every minute crucial, having an appropriate plan in place during a sudden cardiac emergency will certainly make a difference in survival.”

Dr. Stuart Berger, M.D., President, Citizen CPR Foundation, and Medical Director, Project ADAM
“We are beyond delighted that Governor DeWine is signing HB 47 into law and are thankful to the state of Ohio. This bill will require AED placement in schools and will undoubtedly save the lives of both students as well as adults. To the state of Ohio, where Damar Hamlin had a very successful public resuscitation after a cardiac arrest, we say THANK YOU!!!!”

Lindsay Davis, Former Miss Ohio, Eponym of Lindsay’s Law, Heart Patient
“As a former Miss Ohio, athlete, and current heart patient, I helped pass Lindsay’s Law. I am humbled and grateful to build on that legislation with the support of Representative Brown, Representative Bird, Governor DeWine, and all of the inspiring NFL Smart Heart Sports Coalition advocates who have worked so hard to pass HB 47. As Ohioans, we are leading the charge to safeguard our children’s futures and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Mary M. Newman, President & CEO, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
“As a national nonprofit organization, advocating for the prevention of death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) with a vibrant SCA survivor community, and as a member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, we commend the Ohio legislature for passing HB 47. We believe this legislation will undoubtedly help save lives by requiring placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public and chartered nonpublic schools and public recreational facilities; requiring staff at these locations to be trained in the use of AEDs; requiring the Ohio Department of Health to develop a model emergency action plan; and providing liability protections for those using AEDs in good faith.”

Darren Sudman, Simon’s Dad and Co-Founder of Simon’s Heart
“There are so few instances in life where major problems have an easy solution. HB 47 is one of them. Schools and the people inside of them are now prepared to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. All you need are chest compressions, an automated external defibrillator, and a plan. Thanks to this law, we do.”

The Governor was also joined for Tuesday’s ceremony by the bill’s primary sponsors, as well as leadership from the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives:

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill)
“Having three sons who competed in high school sports, and one of our teammates almost had an incident, it really does hit home. Hopefully this will affect people throughout the state of Ohio, and it will be a positive thing and something that shows we care about our kids in Ohio, and we care about our future.”

Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima)
“The stories are certainly compelling. We know that, unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. It happens throughout the United States and throughout the world. Our legislature does a lot of work to bring things like this together. I want to congratulate the bill sponsors, the Speaker, and the Governor for this day.”

State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester)
“AEDs in combination with CPR can and will save lives. Canen Dickman is here with us today because of this. What we wanted to do was to pass a bill that was common sense, bipartisan, that will do what it did for Canaan: save lives – and not just young people, but everybody around the state of Ohio. I am honored to be the person that was entrusted by my constituents to bring this idea forth. I thank Representative Bird for cosponsoring this bill with me, everyone in the legislature, and all of the other entities that gave their support. It takes a village to do something like this, and I thank everyone who was involved.”

State Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond)
“Only a couple of months after the whole nation watched Damar Hamlin’s life be saved by an AED in Cincinnati, a 17-year-old student in my district back home passed away from sudden cardiac arrest during the school day. After those events took place, the opportunity presented itself for me to join Representative Brown on this bill and I quickly jumped on that opportunity, because we all see the importance of doing everything that we can to save young people’s lives.”