BC Schools Strengthen Health Emergency Preparedness by Year-End
By December 2025, all BC school districts will be required to have a formal policy in place to respond to unexpected health emergencies.
This important new directive from the Ministry of Education and Child Care ensures that every school is better equipped to respond quickly and confidently in life-threatening situations.
👉 Read the full BC school safety policy here.
Why This Policy Matters
Emergencies can happen anywhere — in classrooms, gyms, playgrounds, or school buses.
From sudden cardiac arrest to opioid overdoses, timely response can mean the difference between life and death.
💡 We provide the Emergency Preparedness: CPR, AED & Overdose Workshop at a budget-friendly group rate with no participant limit, making it easy for BC schools to train their entire team or student body without worrying about headcount. Our goal is to help your school build real confidence and readiness for emergencies that can happen anytime.
The new policy recognizes that preparedness saves lives, and ensures that every BC school has:
- Accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- Naloxone kits for opioid-related emergencies
- Staff who are trained and confident in using them
It’s a major step forward in protecting students, staff, and visitors — and in building a culture of safety and readiness across BC schools.
Understanding the Life-Saving Tools: AEDs and Naloxone Kits
- AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators)
When a student, teacher, or visitor suffers cardiac arrest, every second counts. An AED analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers a life-saving shock when needed. They’re simple to use — even without medical training — and dramatically increase survival chances when used quickly.
Having AEDs readily available and well-maintained in schools ensures a faster response and higher survival rates.
- Naloxone Kits
The opioid crisis has impacted communities across BC, and schools are not immune. Naloxone reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, buying precious time for emergency responders to arrive.
Ensuring access to naloxone and training staff to use it can prevent tragedy and support a compassionate, proactive approach to safety.
Having naloxone kits and trained staff on site can prevent tragedy and promote compassion and preparedness in the school environment.
How Pacific First Aid Supports Schools
At Pacific First Aid, we’re proud to support BC schools meet — and exceed — these new health emergency standards.
We provide complete school safety solutions, including:
✅ AEDs and Naloxone Kits: Reliable, CSA-approved equipment with maintenance plans and replacement supplies.
✅ Staff Training Programs: Red Cross Certified First Aid, CPR, AED, and Naloxone training tailored for school staff.
✅ Safety Assessments: We’ll help identify where to place AEDs, how to store emergency supplies, and how to maintain readiness year-round.
✅ Ongoing Support: Refresher training and compliance guidance to keep your school policy strong.
Our mission is simple: to ensure every BC school has the tools and confidence to protect its students and staff in an emergency — because safety starts with preparation.
Take Action Today
If you’re a school administrator, teacher, or district safety coordinator, now is the time to review your emergency preparedness plan.
Pacific First Aid can help your school meet the new policy requirements before the 2025 deadline.
Let’s make sure every BC school is ready to protect its students and staff.
👉 Contact Pacific First Aid today to learn how we can help you:
- Equip your school with AEDs and naloxone kits
- Train your staff in emergency response
- Implement a comprehensive emergency response policy
Together, we can make BC schools safer, stronger, and ready for anything.
