Save A Life in Philadelphia

October 6, 2006

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Front Row: Knelling are JROTC cadets. Back Row Left to Right: Gordon Woodrow, Region 3 Director U.S. Department Health and Human Services, Susan Segal, Acting Executive Director Philadelphia Office Senator Arlen Specter, Bettyann Creighton, Director Health, Safety, and Physical Education School District of Philadelphia, Lt. Col. Russell Gallagher, Director Jr. ROTC, School District of Philadelphia, Carol Spizzirri, Founder and President Save A Life Foundation, Christopher Johnson, Principal of Benjamin Franklin High School, and Jim Golden, Chief Safety Executive. School District of Philadelphia Office of School Climate and Safety.

Save A Life Foundation (SALF) will train an estimated 5,000 students through the JROTC and drivers education programs during the 2006-07 school year. SALF Founder and President, Carol Spizzirri comments, "We are starting with the great JROTC and Drivers Education program, and look forward to working together toward the goal of making this empowering and life saving education available to all children in the District.  I am pleased to say that with the support of the partners we have in this effort, we are well on our way."

The initiative, which also includes members of the Philadelphia Fire Department EMS as instructors, will be the first of it’s kind in the city and hopes to mirror the success of the program in the Chicago Public Schools.  SALF’s message to “know how to save a life” appears on Philadelphia’s billboards and bus posters promoting the Philadelphia Public School’s life saving training.

Curriculum is age appropriate and includes CPR, abdominal thrust, and the introduction to the AED. Spizzirri, remarks, “SALF’s goal is to train the masses in basic life supporting first aid skills, starting with the children. SALF provides this program to public school children for no cost."