West Sussex County Council is urging organisations including clubs and local community groups to apply for government funding to increase the number of defibrillators across the county.
A defibrillator is a device that can be used when trying to save the life of someone who is in cardiac arrest.
Applications are now open for grants from the Department of Health and Social Care’s £1million Community Automated External Defibrillators Fund.
The fund aims to help save lives by increasing the number of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in community spaces, where they are most needed. These include rural areas, places with high footfall and areas where there are vulnerable people.
Cllr Keir Greenway (Bersted) asked West Sussex County Councillors to back a motion recognising the importance of making defibrillators accessible, especially in public places, sports grounds and Government-funded facilities.
It also requested further support from Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, to increase the coverage and accessibility of the devices across the county.
During the Full Council meeting in May, Cllr Lanzer confirmed the council's support and welcomed the initiative by central government to ensure all state-funded schools have at least one defibrillator, and highlighted they could be located at or near school gates to be accessible to the general public too.
Cllr Lanzer said:
“Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can provide vital life-saving treatment, however unfortunately, many defibrillators are never used because emergency services do not know where they are or how to access them. As advised by the British Heart Foundation: “To help someone who is in cardiac arrest survive, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible. For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival lower.”
“We are urging organisations, including all schools, to register their defibrillators on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network available to the emergency services, so they can locate the nearest AED and signpost to it if needed in an emergency. We welcome support from our residents, communities and organisations in helping to increase coverage and accessibility where possible, of these potentially life-saving devices across the county.”
Overnight Closures For A22 Forest Row Road Improvements
Brighton Defence Manufacturer's Controversial Planning Application Likely To Be Heard
Over £2.4m Approved For Worthing School Support Centre
Section Of M25 To Close Again Tonight - As Drivers Warned Not To Get Complacent
Plans For 800 New Horsham Homes Refused
Over 200 Co-Living Flats Approved For Brighton
Teenager In Custody On Crawley Attempted Murder Charge
Appeal Following Assault In Hastings
Road Closed As Armed Police Attend Incident In Worthing
Lewes District Council Placed In Planning Special Measures