Following a donation from the City of Meridian, every single West Ada school will soon have an Automated External Defibrillator.Though AEDs are not required in Idaho schools, West Ada has spent years pushing to expand access on campus.This donation comes at a critical time.While rare, Sudden cardiac arrest remains the leading cause of death on school campuses nationwide, according to the American Heart Association. WATCH: City of Meridian donates life-saving technology to West Ada schools Meridian donates of 37 AEDs to West Ada schoolsWhen asked if recognition is a leading cause of an increase in sudden cardiac arrest events, Carly Shears with the Meridian Fire Department responded, "The increased awareness, I think, is definitely at the forefront," she said. "People are more aware of these events."This week, Meridian Police and Fire received approval from the city council to donate 37 AEDs to the West Ada School District.RELATED | West Ada School District Board approves adding armed staff on school campusesSchools tend to rent their facilities out to large gatherings athletics, the arts so having AEDs accessible in all of our schools is really important," said Tracey Garner, the Supervisor of Health Services at West Ada.West Adas middle and high schools already have AEDs. This donation fills the gap and equips elementary schools, alternative schools and academies, the district bus barn, and the new CTE campus.As Idaho News 6 first reported in 2023, West Ada has been actively working to expand AED access across the district.PREVIOUS COVERAGE | West Ada school district raising funds to get AEDs in all of its schoolsThe donation became possible after the Meridian Police Department upgraded response technology in patrol vehicles, including new AEDs, leaving dozens of fully functional devices available for reuse.Thats when Meridian Fires Risk Reduction team partnered with West Ada to find a solution. Having this vital equipment at elementary schools is incredibly important, and were just very happy to be able to assist," said Shears.AEDs can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 each, meaning this donation saves the district tens of thousands of dollars.But more importantly, it saves lives.Weve actually had quite a few saves because of proper placement of AEDs, and because people know how to recognize cardiac arrest and take action.West Ada tells Idaho News 6 the new AEDs will be calibrated over the next few weeks and installed before the start of the next school year. ...read more read less