TOWN council chiefs have unveiled three new life-saving defibrillators in the centre of Evesham.
Working with Evesham Street Pastors and with new homes bonus cash from Wychavon District Council, Evesham Town Council have been able to fund the vital equipment.
A defibrillator is a device which gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.
This high energy shock is an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest.
The defibrillators were purchased through Worcestershire charity, Droitwich AED, who used their expertise to assist the project.
All three are accessible 24 hours a day but require an access code which is given to callers to the emergency services.
Once accessed the devices are mobile so can be transported to the location of the patient. The defibrillators talk the user through what to do so you need no training.
The new equipment can be found in Market Place in the old phone box to the side of Orto Lounge, outside Wallace House in Oat Street and outside Evesham Methodist Church on Bridge Street.
In addition to the project, Rooftop Housing is installing a defibrillator to the wall of their building on the High Street.
Council chiefs prioritised the opportunity for 24-hour access to the equipment, an electricity source and to try and get the best coverage of the town centre and Port Street as could be achieved.
Mayor of Evesham, Coun Sue Amor said: “Working with the Street Pastors and with funding from Wychavon District Council and the Town Council we have provided these defibrillators for the community.
“We hope they never have to be used, but if they do, they require no training as it talks you through what to do.
“These are potential lifesavers and we are proud to have provided them”.
Coun Ged Bearcroft, chairman of Wychavon District Council’s Communities and Funding Advisory Panel, said: “We have given town and parish councils access to New Homes Bonus funding and it is good to see it being spent on these potentially lifesaving projects.
“As an Evesham resident I am especially pleased to see these devices in the town.”
Evesham Town Council will be responsible for the maintenance of these defibrillators and Rooftop for the one that will be located outside their office.
