Talladega County Schools Recognized for Safety Measures

Talladega County, Ala. (Aug.11, 2025) — Talladega County Schools will now be called Heart Safe Schools. Alabama LifeStart, a school safety program at Children’s of Alabama and an affiliate of the National Project Adam Program, officially recognized the district on Tuesday, August 5. Julia Farmer, the State Chapter Director of Think First Alabama, presented the designation.

Austin Kane, a pediatric cardiologist and medical director of Alabama LifeStart, says the designation specifically recognizes how the district maintains an emergency plan and holds practice drills on using AEDs.

“Congratulations to the Talladega County School system on being named a Heart Safe District,” Kane said. “Sudden cardiac death is devastating for a family and their entire community. Some young people who die suddenly have known heart disease, but others have no prior diagnosis or symptoms. Early use of an AED and CPR significantly increases a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. By having cardiac emergency response plans and practicing drills, the Talladega County School District has taken important steps to prepare for cardiac arrest and protect its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2,000 young, seemingly healthy people under the age of 25 in the United States die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. An AED can increase the survival rate to 50%.  Dr. Yung Lau and Barbara Mostella of UAB created Alabama LifeStart to address the need for AEDs in Alabama schools. Hundreds of middle, junior, and senior high schools now have at least one AED.