An incredible joint effort has led to the installation of a life-saving defibrillator being installed at New Cumnock Primary School.
Around 70 people each week in Scotland have a cardiac arrest, but currently, only one in 10 survive. The use of a defibrillator, particularly within the early stages of a cardiac arrest, dramatically increases the chances of survival.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, in collaboration with East Ayrshire Council, New Cumnock Primary School and their Parent Council, gained funding and assisted with the installation of the device as part of their drive to improve survival rates from cardiac arrest within the local area.
The device has been installed within one of the special cabinets on the outside of the New Cumnock Primary School building, meaning it can now be accessed 24/7 by any member of the public in an emergency.
As well as helping to provide the defibrillator, the local fire station at New Cumnock will also be providing a training session on the use of this vital life saving equipment. This will be undertaken on Wednesday evenings at 7pm over the next two weeks.
Members of the public will learn what to do in an emergency and see a demonstration of the defibrillator in use.
Station Commander Kevin Rennie from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “When someone is in cardiac arrest their heart has stopped working normally, without intervention, they could die within minutes.
"As a service, our primary aim is to save life, within a variety of emergency situations. I am delighted that through collaborative working between SFRS, community, private and third sector agencies we have achieved a further vital life saving resource being provided within our community.
"Whilst performing CPR can be a daunting prospect, we know that if someone nearby can start CPR while the ambulance is on its way, their chances of surviving dramatically improve.
"These new defibrillators work fantastically, are automated and actually talk you through operational instructions to save a life.”
The team are also on the lookout for on-call firefighters.
Anyone interested can contact their local stations or even visit a station drill night and see what the role is all about.
New Cumnock drill night is every Wednesday, with Cumnock on a Tuesday, both running from 6.30pm until 9.30pm.
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