City Council support of S.447/H.750, S.456, H.556, and H.572 to ensure high school students receive CPR and AED training, equipping the next generation with life-saving skills

O-3 FIRST IN COUNCIL April 7, 2025 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR WILSON WHEREAS: Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and second leading cause of death in Massachusetts; and WHEREAS: Heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia, significantly increases the risk of cardiac arrest, a condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction; and WHEREAS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), in conjunction with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), is the most effective way for bystanders to save someone experiencing cardiac arrest, as CPR keeps blood circulating to vital organs while an AED can restore heart rhythm; and WHEREAS: According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chances of survival after cardiac arrest, yet only about 40% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate help they need before professional help arrives; and WHEREAS: 41 states have recognized the importance of CPR training by mandating it for high school students, making Massachusetts one of only nine states that does not require it for high school graduation; and WHEREAS: Massachusetts legislators have introduced four bills that seek to make CPR and AED training a requirement in high schools across the commonwealth: • S.447/H.750, An Act providing hands only CPR training and the use of defibrillators • S.456, An Act requiring instruction in CPR and the use of defibrillators for high school graduation • H.556, An Act providing CPR and AED Education for All, AKA The CPR and AED Education for All Act • H.572, An Act relative to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic defibrillator education in public schools; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of S.447/H.750, S.456, H.556, and H.572 to ensure high school students receive CPR and AED training, equipping the next generation with life-saving skills; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this Policy Order to the Cambridge State House delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.