Defibrillator map being drawn up
A register of public Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across County Cavan is currently being collated by the council in order to better help local first responders attending cardiac emergencies.
Clubs, community groups, and businesses are being asked to make contact with the local authority and fill out a form on the council’s website.
Meanwhile, the local authority has been asked to initiate a new fund to support first responders in the county.
With the emergence of new groups in the south-east of the county, Sinn Féin’s Noel Connell stressed the importance of these volunteers being supported and funded properly.
Speaking at the October monthly meeting of elected members, Cllr Connell noted that one-use defibrillator pads cost up to €400 to replace.
Party colleague Damien Brady supported the motion saying that first responders offered a “vital service” that supports the work of emergency services personnel.
He welcomed the setting up of a new group in Corlough in west Cavan, adding that these volunteers “are a great back up” before the fire service or paramedics arrive to the scene of a medical emergency.
Cllr Brady stressed the importance of AEDs being in proper working order, mentioning that pads attached to the device on Main Street in Cavan Town were “out of date”.
He added of first responders: “If you don’t have people trained to use them, you might as well not have them.”
Stiofán Conaty (SF) asked if there was a body in place that regulates the maintenance of defibrillators.
“There are groups happy to do this, but they need the resources,” he said, acknowledging that funding is available through LEADER, though only one group applied.
“€50,000 to buy an electric vehicle. That’s not what they need. They need a lump sum to be able to pay their volunteers for travel and training expenses,” suggested Cllr Conaty.
Fine Gael’s Trevor Smith welcomed the expansion of the network of first responder services in the county, while Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley stated that the council always endeavours to “support as much as it can”.
Director of Services Brendan Jennings shared an update on the initiative to map all AEDs countywide. It was great to see the network of first responders in Cavan “growing”, he further remarked.