Defibrillators for public use now at 22 Norfolk fire stations

Lifesaving defibrillators for use by the public are now available at more than half of Norfolk's fire stations, thanks to the extension of a successful project. 

Defibrillators give a high energy shock to the heart of people in cardiac arrest and they are available in many public buildings. They were also located at 10 Norfolk fire stations, but this has now been extended to include 22 fire stations in the centre of communities right across Norfolk. 

Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service is committed to saving lives every day. The defibrillator project has been spearheaded by firefighter Chris Baker who has been involved in getting other community defibrillators in place across Norfolk. The machines are simple to use and offer step by step guidance to enable people to try and restart a heart. The defibrillators have been provided by East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, local parish councils and Cromer crematorium. The cabinets were provided by Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service and fitted by Norse.  

Cabinet member for communities and partnerships, Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, said: "Defibrillators are available across Norfolk and increasing the number of them means there is more chance of people being able to access them and potentially saving more lives right across the county. Having them based on fire stations and other community buildings is fantastic for residents and visitors to our towns and villages." 

Lorna Hayes, Head of Community Response at East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST), said: "In the event of a cardiac arrest, having access to a defibrillator can literally mean the difference between life and death. We are proud to have worked closely with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service on expanding the number of defibrillators at their fire stations. 

"With many fire stations located in rural villages, which may not have a community defibrillator already, these new defibrillators will undoubtedly make a difference to patients' lives." 

Firefighter Baker has been working with leaders in the fire service, staff at Norse, East of England Ambulance Service Trust and charitable partners including Heart2Heart Norfolk and the British Heart Foundation to get them added to the national network. A donation from Cromer Crematorium purchased the cabinet and defibrillator for the one at Cromer fire station and in Great Yarmouth the defibrillator and cabinet was paid for by a local resident.  

Norfolk fire stations with defibrillators for public use are: 

Wroxham, Downham Market, Terrington, Kings Lynn North, Massingham, Wells, Cromer, Mundesley, Carrow, Acle, Swaffham, Watton, Aylsham, Fakenham, Holt, Great Yarmouth, Martham, Wymondham, Earlham, Hunstanton, East Harling and Methwold. 

You can find your nearest defibrillator using Defib finder. 

The project comes as part of the wider partnership work between EEAST and Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, enabling firefighters to attend medical emergencies. Co-responding is now undertaken by fire stations are in Sheringham, Cromer, North Walsham, Dereham, Hunstanton, Heacham and Sandringham. Two more stations are currently being trained before going live as co-response stations.  

All fire crews in Norfolk also carry defibrillators on frontline fire appliances.