Richmond Public Schools and Richmond Fire Department are teaming up to provide free CPR classes for certification to teachers, a collaboration initiated by the Richmond Education Association, the union representing the division’s teachers. The Virginia Department of Education mandates teachers to be CPR certified in order to become licensed personnel, and classes can run upwards of $150. A similar partnership took place in 2019 , as a result of former Mayor Levar Stoney’s Teacher Advisory Council that included teachers from RPS schools. While intended for teachers, REA initially wanted and is hoping that the classes will extend to non-licensed personnel too, like cafeteria workers or custodians. All attendees at the division’s new teacher orientation this week will be offered the course, and all teachers are eligible for the course.