FASTER Saves Lives Act Focuses on School Trauma Response

In an emergency, seconds matter. Whether the crisis involves an act of violence, a serious athletic injury, or a transportation accident, the outcome can hinge on what happens before paramedics ever reach the scene. That reality is at the center of a new proposal from Representative Selina Bliss, who is advancing legislation designed to improve how Arizona schools respond to life-threatening medical situations.

Bliss recently introduced the FASTER Saves Lives Act, a measure aimed at giving school districts and charter schools the option to train designated employees in advanced trauma medical response. The goal is straightforward: ensure that someone on campus has the skills to provide immediate, potentially life-saving care during the critical window between an emergency and the arrival of professional responders.

“Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after traumatic injury,” Bliss said. “This legislation gives schools the option to prepare staff to act immediately when an emergency occurs.”

Bridging the gap before first responders arrive

Schools often face unavoidable delays during emergencies. Large campuses can slow access. Locked or limited entry points can complicate response. In rural or suburban areas, distance from trauma centers can add precious minutes. While school staff routinely receive basic first aid training, that training typically does not cover high-acuity injuries such as severe hemorrhaging or chest trauma.

Military and civilian trauma studies have consistently shown that survival rates drop sharply when bleeding is not controlled quickly. The proposal responds to those findings by creating a framework for advanced training that goes well beyond traditional first aid.

Under the measure, schools could offer optional trauma response training to employees willing to take on that responsibility. Training outlined in the legislation includes hemorrhage control using tourniquets, airway support, chest injury stabilization, and coordination with law enforcement and emergency medical services. Training standards are designed to align with established civilian and tactical emergency medical protocols and would require periodic recertification to ensure skills remain current.

A voluntary, locally controlled approach

One of the defining features of the proposal is that participation is entirely voluntary — both for school systems and for individual employees. Schools are not required to adopt the program, and employees are not required to participate.

The legislation also makes clear what it does not do. It does not require schools to arm staff. It does not change Arizona’s firearm laws. And it does not impose new mandates on school districts. Instead, it offers an option for communities that want to strengthen their on-site emergency preparedness.

The bill fits within Arizona’s existing school safety and emergency preparedness laws and extends Good Samaritan liability protections to trained employees who act in good faith and within the scope of their training during an emergency.

Training standards, confidentiality, and accountability

The proposal establishes a “save our children school safety program” within the state department to oversee training and certification standards. Working in consultation with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, the department would develop and maintain a public list of approved training and certification programs.

Schools and individuals who complete approved training could be eligible for reimbursement through a dedicated program fund. That fund could include legislative appropriations, grants, gifts, and other sources, and would be used on a first-come, first-served basis for qualifying expenses such as training costs or the purchase of medical kits and safety equipment.

The legislation also places a strong emphasis on confidentiality. Personally identifiable information for participating employees — including names, training schedules, and deployment details — would be protected from public disclosure. Violations of those confidentiality provisions would carry criminal penalties.

No unfunded mandates, flexible funding options

Cost is often a major concern when schools consider new safety initiatives. Bliss’s proposal addresses that directly. Training costs are described as limited, and schools could rely on existing school safety grants, federal preparedness funds, or private partnerships to cover expenses. The bill does not require districts to divert existing classroom resources or assume new financial obligations.

“Whether the emergency is an act of violence, a serious athletic injury, or a transportation accident, trained responders on site save lives,” Bliss said.

A focus on preparedness, not politics

At its core, the FASTER Saves Lives Act is framed as a preparedness measure — one that acknowledges the realities schools face and seeks to give communities tools rather than directives. By emphasizing voluntary participation, medical readiness, and coordination with existing emergency response systems, the proposal positions itself as an option for districts that want to close the gap between crisis and care.

As the legislation moves through the Arizona Legislature, it adds to an ongoing conversation about how schools can best protect students and staff during emergencies — not by replacing first responders, but by making sure help begins the moment it’s needed most.