Defibs installed at local fire stations

Every single fire station in the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s (MAWWFRS) area is now within 500m of a public access defibrillator (PAD).

The lifesaving equipment has recently been installed at 23 fire stations across the region, including Newtown, Montgomery, Llanfair Caereinion and Llanfyllin, where a PAD was not within reach.

It has been made possible through a partnership with Save a Life Cymru (SALC) and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST), which identified the 23 stations that were not in close proximity to a PAD.

As well as increasing the number of PADs across Wales, SALC has been providing sessions to teach and familiarise communities with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using a PAD. 

“Fire stations are recognised as community landmarks and are strategically located throughout our communities,” said Chief Fire Officer, Roger Thomas: “I am delighted that this new partnership means that an increased number of our fire stations will now have 24-hour access to PADs which will greatly improve patient outcomes in the event of a cardiac arrest.”

Defibrillators are simple and safe to use, with no prior training required to operate one. Once activated, it will tell you exactly what to do and when and how to deliver a safe shock. When you dial 999, the call taker will instruct you on where the nearest registered defibrillator is located and a code to open the cabinet if required.