ALLEGANY — State Sen. George Borrello visited the Allegany-Limestone Central School District bus garage Wednesday to see firsthand the automated external defibrillators in the district’s school buses.
The initiative to place AEDs in the district’s buses is the first of its kind in New York state.
Two years ago, Curtis Peters, transportation supervisor for Allegany-Limestone, envisioned equipping all district buses and vans with AEDs to address potential medical emergencies, especially on long rural bus routes or athletic trips. Recognizing the need, Peters noted that ambulance response times in the district’s rural areas could take 10 to 20 minutes — time that could make the difference in saving a life.
However, the vision faced hurdles.
Initially, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) expressed uncertainty about whether AEDs could legally be installed on school buses. Determined to move forward, Peters sought assistance from Borrello’s office and his team worked with Senate legal staff and DOT officials to navigate the regulatory process and secure necessary approvals.
“This is a prime example of what we can accomplish when local leaders, state officials, and communities join forces to prioritize the safety of our children,” Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said. “The district’s commitment and vision have not only established Allegany-Limestone as a trailblazer in student safety but also created a model for other districts to emulate.
“It’s incredibly rewarding when my team and I can contribute to critical initiatives like this one,” the senator added.
The district has since installed 17 AEDs across its bus fleet. All transportation staff underwent CPR, AED and first aid training to become certified in using the life-saving devices. The initiative already demonstrated its importance during the first week of school when a student with a severe bee sting allergy experienced distress. Although the ambulance arrived quickly and the AED was not used, the incident underscored the necessity of having these devices readily available.
Borrello commended the district’s administration, school board and the community for their support in seeing the initiative through.
“This is about more than just buses and devices,” he said, “it’s about saving lives and showing that Allegany-Limestone leads the way in student safety.”
