Another step was taken in Fennimore’s Matt and Courtney Bruegmann’s effort to have anti-choking devices in all 3,146 public and private schools across Wisconsin.
In October 2016, Bruegmann’s nine-month-old son, Camynn, got a rubber ball stuck in his throat, and classic life-saving techniques didn’t work. Later, the Bruegmann family learned of an antichoking device called LifeVac, which donated to their local schools and EMS stations.
And since that time, the Bruegmanns have been working to have anti-choking devices required in all public and private schools. As she has stated so many times, Courtney’s mission is simple, “I just don’t want anyone to go through what we went through,” she explained.
Four years after first partnering with Wisconsin lawmakers, a public hearing was held on Thursday, July 20 before state lawmakers on the Assembly Committee on Education. Current law requires all school districts in Wisconsin to have a standard first aid kit for emergencies. Under the proposal, cosponsored by State Rep. Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, and State Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton, an anti-choking device would have to be a part of that kit.
During the 2019-2020 session, a similar bill ultimately failed to pass the Legislature. The previous bill required the state Department of Health Services to issue grants to local schools for the devices; this session’s bill does not include the funding. While speaking during the hearing, Courtney explained, “I know after we lost our son — I had two older girls at the time — and I had a hard time sending them to school because it was like, ‘If I can’t save my children, how do I expect somebody else to save my kids?’” Bruegmann added.
Jane Wonderling, District Administrator for Fennimore Community Schools, also attended and spoke at the hearing.
“Our school district is forever grateful to Matt and Courtney Bruegmann and their family for the generous donation to Fennimore Community Schools. In 2019, they donated LifeVac kits to each school building in memory of their son, Camynn. These LifeVac kits play a crucial role in saving choking victims when the Heimlich Maneuver is not successful.”
She went to say, “Having nine LifeVac kits strategically placed throughout the elementary and middle/high schools in areas such as gyms, hallways, lunchrooms, and concession stands ensures quick access to these lifesaving devices. Additionally, the availability of travel LifeVac kits for school field trips further enhances the safety measures for our students.
She further informed lawmakers that the entire Fennimore staff receives training in various life-saving techniques, including the use of AEDs, Stop the Bleed, CPR, and the proper usage of the LifeVac.
And recently on the recommendation by Dennis Connelly, a Fennimore Community Schools bus driver, 10 LifeVacs were recently donated by Fennimore Area Health Services to equip each school bus in the district.
“We are saying that as part of your first aid kit, you need to also have an anti-choking device. It’s a pretty simple bill,” State Rep. Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, explained of the legislation he introduced. “I cannot imagine the helpless feeling that you would have sitting there knowing that there is nothing you can do to help protect or save your child.”
Although requiring antichoking devices in schools seems like a “no-brainer,” a few organizations oppose the bill, namely the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses and Department of Public Instruction. (DPI).
A myriad of reasons between the two organizations were given, as Courtney stated, “It always seems to come down to money, and how and who should spend it.”
“The number of nurses workinginschoolsinWisconsin is dangerously low,” Jamie Trzebiatowski, president-elect of the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses, testified. “Rather than advance an unfunded mandate as in AB 163, it would make more sense for legislators to pass legislation that provides school districts with resources that they need to hire more school nurses.”
While the devices themselves cost around $70, the cost to train teachers was also a concern, and that the funds could be spent to train teachers on broader first aid responses.
Kevyn Radcliffe, DPI legislative liaison, said during the hearing “AB 163 creates yet another unfunded mandate for schools, requiring schools to stock and maintain an anti-choking device,” told lawmakers.
She added that instances of choking accidents are most commonly seen among very young and very old people — that the devices may not be most-effective in schools. Radcliffe called it “a solution in search of a problem.”
Bruegmann said saving a life is a small price to pay in the long run. “Anyone at any age can choke, and $70 is cheaper than paying for a funeral,” Bruegmann said.
The bill will eventually receive a committee vote on the Assembly side, advancing the legislation to the full floor. It would also need to pass the state Senate.
Courtney said they hope to be back in Madison in September or sometime before November for another hearing and vote.
In the meantime, as the Bruegmanns have urged many times in the past, let lawmakers know that devices need to be required in all schools.
“Please contact Rep. Tranel or your local representative,” Courtney explained. “Write, call, e-mail and voice support for the bill. The bigger the army/backup we have the better.”
Spectrum News 1 and Channel 3000 contributed to this article.
