Town’s heroes will teach locals how to save a life
Heroic firefighters are urging locals to come down to Callander fire station next weekend (November 26-27) and learn potentially lifesaving CPR skills.
The skills were put into good use by the local team recently when they were mobilised to a cardiac arrest in the town on October 7.
Their actions and those of others present saved the life of Callander resident Ken Roberts at the Caledonian Country Wear store.
Ken was even able to visit the crew at the station earlier this month to show his appreciation.
And he gave his full support to the initiative which is being undertaken by the crew.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with the British Heart Foundation to help save lives across the country by providing fire stations with CPR kits, training mannequins and training DVDs.
Firefighters will be in the station at Geisher Road, Lagrannoch Industrial Estate, Callander for two sessions each day on Saturday November 26 and Sunday November 27.
The sessions will run from 10am until noon and 1-3pm and anyone can register to take part in a short training session to learn the skills which could save the life of someone suffering from a cardiac arrest.
Every year around 3,500 people suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest in Scotland – but only one in 20 of them will survive to return home.
When someone goes into cardiac arrest their heart is not pumping and every second counts.
Performing immediate CPR can keep oxygen circulating around the body until medical professionals arrive and it only takes about halfanhour to learn the technique.
Station manager Gordon Kerr said: “This training will equip people with the skills they need to deliver lifesaving assistance to anyone suffering from cardiac arrest.
“This event is part of our commitment to supporting Scotland’s Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy and Save a Life for Scotland campaign which aims to dramatically increase survival chances and save as many as 1,000 lives by 2020.”
Station Manager Kerr added: “Our 356 fire stations are in a position to act as a base for local people to learn these vital skills and anyone can drop in and learn CPR.
“Alternatively, our firefighters can take the equipment to local schools or community groups on request.”
To find out more about how Scotland’s emergency services and charities are joining together to save lives after cardiac arrest visit Save a Life for Scotland at www.savealife. scot.
To register to attend one of the training sessions call Watch Manager Corrieri on 07786050474 to confirm a place as they need to be booked prior to the event.