A heartfelt commitment to life saving equipment in Ashington
On the same night that many were sharing candlelit dinners, exchanging cards and gifts, and celebrating ‘love’, Ashington Town Council was showing their love for the town, with a heartfelt commitment to life saving equipment.
Back in July, the Council agreed that installing more defibrillators in the town was a project close to its heart. This sentiment was echoed by the town’s County Councillors who did not miss a beat in agreeing to fund the purchase of two each; a total of twelve additional defibrillators for the town.
Seven out of ten people who suffer a cardiac arrest could survive if they received defibrillation and CPR within five minutes. To tackle this ticking clock Cllrs Caroline Ball, Brian Gallacher, Lynne Grimshaw, Jim Lang, Ken Parry and Mark Purvis worked with the Town Council to identify sites that would serve the community well in terms of coverage of this life-saving equipment.
It is delightfully coincidental that on Valentines Night we get to share the commendable community organisations and brilliant businesses that have agreed to receive an iPAD SP1 Semi Auto AED in DefibSafe External Cabinet and to be primary guardians of them, with the order being placed tomorrow.
- Wel Medical is the chosen supplier based on cost and quality. They have proven themselves to be a praiseworthy partner honouring the prices quoted in April 2022, despite increases.
- Ashington Sea Cadets and Cambois Rowing Club
- Wansbeck Riverside Caravan Park/The Riverside Pantry
- Hirst Welfare Centre
- Hirst Park Pavilion
- Seaton Hirst Veterans Institute – Milburn Road
- JT Dove Ashington
- North Seaton Colliery Community Centre
- North Seaton Spar
- B&M Store Ashington
- Ashington Spiritualist Church
- Salvation Army Church Hall
- Hatchmeadow Retirement Housing
Ashington Town Council is thankful for the funding from County Councillors and the commitment of those above, who we will continue to work with to get equipment installed as quickly as possible.
Chair of Ashington Town Council, Cllr Mark Purvis said,
“Ashington is a densely populated area, and we recognised the need to add to the eight defibrillators already listed as being available to the public. Having them on an outside wall is essential and also having them in places where they are easily accessed when required. The hope is that they are not needed, but we have seen many high profile examples when they have made the difference between life and death, and at around £1,200 each that is piece of mind worth paying for.”
Ashington Town Council will operate as supporting guardians for all devices and have committed to funding consumables and upkeep in perpetuity - a lifeline for a life-time.
The equipment is being ordered tomorrow and will be installed as soon as it is received. Once up and running, this life-saving equipment will be registered with The Circuit and North East Ambulance Service will respond to emergency calls knowing where these devices are located.
You do not need training to use a defibrillator. Although they can vary, they all function in broadly the same way. The device gives clear, spoken instructions and will not deliver a shock unless it is needed.
If you would like to have a look at how to use a device, there are videos available online: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators/how-to-use-a-defibrillator
