Depot defibrillator will help cardiac emergencies in community

Bus operator First Manchester has installed a defibrillator at its Oldham depot on Wallshaw Street which can also be accessed by the local community in emergency situations.

The company has installed the life-saving device at a cost of £1,000 and positioned it in the depot’s Traffic Office.

The decision to buy the defibrillator was taken to support the operator’s trained First Aid team in being able to provide instant help to members of staff experiencing a cardiac emergency. First Manchester always has two colleagues with First Aid skills available to cover shifts.

Anyone in the local area to the depot will also be given access to the device if directed to do so by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) after dialling 999. In such cases they would be directed there and given guidance over the phone in how to use it.

Adrian Worsfold, Operations Director of First Manchester, said: “This vital piece of equipment gives added assurance and confidence to our employees that our excellent team of First Aiders has the best support to hand in an emergency.

“We want the local community to know it is here to help them too.”

Adrian, who has previously volunteered as a Community First Responder, added: “I have seen how important a defibrillator is in giving someone that extra support in the minutes following a cardiac arrest before the ambulance crew gets there.”

David McNally, a paramedic from the NWAS and Blue Light Collaboration & Engagement Manager for Greater Manchester, said: “This placement of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an accessible place will not only benefit staff on site but the immediate community.

“The first minutes when someone suffers a cardiac arrest are vital to act quickly and having a life-saving piece of equipment can make the difference to the outcome. NWAS NHS Trust fully supports organisations, businesses and communities in spreading access to AEDs as it builds on the critical links in the chain of survival where everyone plays a vital part.” 

Bus operator First Manchester has installed a defibrillator at its Oldham depot on Wallshaw Street which can also be accessed by the local community in emergency situations.

The company has installed the life-saving device at a cost of £1,000 and positioned it in the depot’s Traffic Office.

The decision to buy the defibrillator was taken to support the operator’s trained First Aid team in being able to provide instant help to members of staff experiencing a cardiac emergency. First Manchester always has two colleagues with First Aid skills available to cover shifts.

Anyone in the local area to the depot will also be given access to the device if directed to do so by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) after dialling 999. In such cases they would be directed there and given guidance over the phone in how to use it.

Adrian Worsfold, Operations Director of First Manchester, said: “This vital piece of equipment gives added assurance and confidence to our employees that our excellent team of First Aiders has the best support to hand in an emergency.

“We want the local community to know it is here to help them too.”

Adrian, who has previously volunteered as a Community First Responder, added: “I have seen how important a defibrillator is in giving someone that extra support in the minutes following a cardiac arrest before the ambulance crew gets there.”

David McNally, a paramedic from the NWAS and Blue Light Collaboration & Engagement Manager for Greater Manchester, said: “This placement of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in an accessible place will not only benefit staff on site but the immediate community.

“The first minutes when someone suffers a cardiac arrest are vital to act quickly and having a life-saving piece of equipment can make the difference to the outcome. NWAS NHS Trust fully supports organisations, businesses and communities in spreading access to AEDs as it builds on the critical links in the chain of survival where everyone plays a vital part.”   

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