A national pilot project on school preparedness is under way to provide a voluntary and free first aid training program for all public and private middle school teachers and staff in Montgomery County.

The free training will certify voluntary participants in basic first aid and encourage the instruction of students in school in first aid skills.

Schools with staff certified in first aid will receive a 2-hour curriculum on first aid that can be taught to students as part of each school's emergency preparedness program. Prepared by the American Red Cross, the student curriculum is consistent with first aid instruction in the middle school health education program of the Montgomery County Public Schools.

The initiative is being presented by the U.S. Department of Education, the American Red Cross, and the Montgomery County Public Schools. (See PDF file of a flyer at the link below.)

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2003 at Montgomery College Physical Education Center, North Campus Drive, Rockville, Maryland

Time: Two free sessions from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon or 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Registration: Register in advance and online at the link below. (Deadline for registration is May 2, 2003.)

Summary:

* Up to 600 adults can be trained in each of the morning and afternoon sessions.

* Voluntary registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, online through the Red Cross.

* School staff completing the training will receive a curriculum package in first aid skills that can be taught to students this spring as a component of school-based emergency preparedness.