New defibrillators added to library and The Centre

Life-saving help is available when you need it thanks to new defibrillators installed at Te Puke Library and The Centre — Pa¯tuki Manawa in Katikati.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council says it opted for AEDS (Automated External Defibrillators) that could be mounted outdoors, so the Te Puke or Katikati communities will have help available any time of the day or week.

The two new AEDS completes a full suite of defibrillators at all council library and service centres — Waih¯ı Beach, Katikati, O¯ mokoroa, Te Puke and Barkes Corner.

The council’s team leader Libraries Western, Julia Edgecombe, says it’s a good choice that could help save lives.

The new defibrillators are housed in a secure cabinet, mounted to the wall just outside the main doors of each library.

The cabinet is opened with a code that anyone can get by calling 111. The operator will provide the code to open the cabinet and grab the device. If the defibrillator is needed during library opening hours, the council team can also provide the code.

“Emergencies don’t happen on schedule, so it’s important that help is available when needed,” says Julia.

Team leader Libraries Eastern, Amanda-jane Mcfadden, says the new defibrillators are part of council’s ongoing effort to provide new services to the community.

“We want to do more for the communities we live in and care for, so we’re expanding our offerings all the time. Te Puke Library now has a fulltime AA licensing agency in the building, and a Justice of the Peace keeping regular hours. Over at The Centre — Pa¯tuki Manawa in Katikati, they provide a 24/7 access, self service digital hub available for registered users in addition to classes and bookable resources.”

To know where your closest defibrillator is, visit aedlocations.co. nz. — Supplied content