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Spring Lake Athletics Puts Emergency Action Plans to Practice

Spring Lake Athletics Puts Emergency Action Plans to Practice

This year, Spring Lake Public Schools, with the specific help of athletic trainer Jasmine Rose, have ramped up their commitment to safety by enhancing our Emergency Action Plans (EAP) to meet new MHSAA requirements. These regulations require all high school teams to have EAPs specific to their practice and competition locations, which must be posted, documented, and rehearsed each season.

Our district has always maintained detailed EAPs for each high school and middle school location, updating them annually. This year, we’ve introduced "cooler EAPs"—shortened versions that provide crucial information, such as AED locations and EMS entry points, for every event. These practical updates ensure vital emergency information is readily accessible to both home and visiting teams.

Recently, we conducted a comprehensive EAP run-through with special guests from the Spring Lake Fire Department and Trinity Health North Ottawa Ambulance. Students from sports teams, including soccer, cross country, football, cheer, volleyball, and tennis, practiced essential roles like calling 911, retrieving AEDs, and directing ambulances. This hands-on approach helped students understand their responsibilities and the urgency of their actions during emergencies.

Practicing emergency situations is vital for ensuring everyone knows their roles. With the fire department noting dispatch takes 1-2 minutes before emergency vehicles respond, every second counts. By starting the EAP immediately, we significantly improve the odds of saving lives.

Looking ahead, we aim to elevate our safety standards further, with plans to pursue MI HEARTSafe School recognition and the NATA Safe Sports School award. Spring Lake is committed to leading in school safety and preparedness.