Holding the MI HEARTSafe banners that will be displayed in the Iron Mountain School District, from left are 5-12 Principal William Traber, Dean of Students Sheila Beauchamp, District School Nurse Kathleen “Cookie” Brooks, and EK-4 Principal Donny Bianco.

Iron Mountain — Iron Mountain Public Schools were recognized as a MI HEARTSafe School in a virtual award ceremony held on Oct. 28. A MI HEARTSafe designation recognizes a school’s efforts to prevent sudden cardiac death by preparing for a cardiac emergency.

The entire district including the Izzo-Mariucci Center, Iron Mountain Homeschool Partnership, North Elementary, as well as the Iron Mountain 5-12 Building, received MI HEARTSafe School designation for 2020-2023 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Education, American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association, and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young.

The district’s buildings met standards that indicate preparation and readiness for cardiac emergencies during the 2020-2021 school year and will have the MI HEARTSafe designation until the end of the 2022-2023 school year. In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, the district is ready to implement the chain of survival to save lives.

Members of staff know how to recognize the signs of a sudden cardiac arrest and respond quickly by calling 9-1-1 and using CPR and an automated external defibrillator until EMS arrives.