Date: 12th March, 2024
A free awareness session is being held at Swindon fire station next week for anyone wanting to learn more about CPR and using a defibrillator.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters, and colleagues from South Western Ambulance Service, are running the session between 7pm and 9pm on Monday 18 March.
It comes after a publicly-available defibrillator was installed on the front wall of the Drove Road fire station, following fundraising by two firefighters based there.
Watch Manager Paul Hanlon said: “Sudden cardiac arrest is fatal but can be reversed, with the best chance of survival being a shock from a defibrillator within the first five minutes of collapse. Last year, we decided to get a defibrillator for outside the station, as we get a lot of footfall going past, so firefighter Jade Richardson and I took part in the British Firefighter Challenge and raised the money needed through sponsorship.”
He added: “The charity, London Hearts, supplied the defibrillator and cabinet, and the equipment is installed on the wall outside the station. It’s rescue ready and registered with The Circuit, so the information is easily available to South Western Ambulance Service if it’s needed. Having vital, publicly accessible defibrillators in as many places as possible, and teaching people the importance of CPR and early defibrillation, will save lives.”
If you would like to take part in the awareness session, there’s no need to book, just be at Swindon fire station on Drove Road for 7pm on Monday 18 March. There will also be the opportunity to look round the station, and refreshments will be provided.
Further events are being planned, potentially every month, so anyone unable to attend this session should keep an eye on the Swindon fire station Facebook page for details – www.facebook.com/DWFRSSwindonFireStn