HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — On Oct. 9, Guam Youth Congress Rep. Austin Gaizmer Fortuno introduced Bill 11-34 to enhance campus safety by mandating the availability of automated external defibrillators at all facilities of the University of Guam and Guam Community College by June 30, 2024.
The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Christian Gyles Ramos, UOG, Nathan I. Paz, Yigo, and Julie Ann L. Laxamana, UOG, the Guam Youth Congress announced in a press release.
“This legislation is a crucial step toward ensuring the safety of everyone on our college campuses. By providing quick access to AEDs, we are enhancing our preparedness to respond effectively to sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. It’s about saving lives and creating a secure environment for learning and community activities at the University of Guam and the Guam Community College,” Fortuno stated.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death worldwide, claiming approximately 356,000 lives annually in the United States alone. Immediate defibrillation with an AED significantly increases the chances of survival, often to over 70%. Recognizing the importance of quick access to AEDs, the legislation intends to prioritize the safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on UOG and GCC premises. The proposed legislation mandates that every educational, athletic, or dormitory facility at the University of Guam and Guam Community College must have at least one AED by June 30, 2024. These AEDs will be readily accessible at all times and will follow comprehensive deployment and use provisions established by the respective boards of the University of Guam and Guam Community College, according to the release.
Fortuno added, “The Access to Lifesaving AEDs at UOG and GCC Campuses Act of 2023 is a testament to our commitment to saving lives and ensuring that our college campuses here on Guam are prepared for emergencies. Every second counts during a cardiac arrest, and this bill takes a crucial step in providing the tools needed to respond swiftly and effectively.”
A portable defibrillator is seen at the Guam Community College campus in Mangilao on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
