Council to purchase more defibrillators for residents

EAST Dunbartonshire Council is to continue developing its network of 39 publicly accessible defibrillators at various premises around the local authority.

Councillors unanimously agreed to support proposals made in a feasibility report presented at a full council meeting, and as a next step consultation will begin in the new year.

After the meeting council leader Gordan Low said: “This decision to progress a network of publicly accessible defibrillators follows the motion, unanimously agreed by council back in March this year.

“The evidence is clear that where external defibrillators are available in an emergency situation, and are used before the arrival of the emergency services, they can be lifesaving.

“Currently we are proposing defibrillators at 39 locations right across the towns and villages of East Dunbartonshire.

“These will include externally accessible defibrillators in places that are central and with high footfall, including our community hubs and libraries, our public halls and community centres, and a number of council owned buildings in and around our population centres.”

The council already has 18 defibrillators in place but 24 more will be purchased at a cost of around £ 60,000.

All of these devices will be registered with the British Heart Foundation’s national network, called The Circuit, which will ensure they are known of by emergency medical staff who can direct callers to help save lives.

Councillor Low added: “We will now engage with community groups and organisations in early January to gather their views on our proposals, identify any further potential locations, and determine if there are any other publicly accessible defibrillators in their premises.

“A report will then come back to council in early spring for final agreement of our vitally important and life- saving plans.”