Thursday 20th November 2014 – 10.50am – Claire Brown.
Residents in Balsall Common are never too far away from a piece of life saving kit thanks to four local organisations.
A new community Public Access Defibrillator (CPAD) has taken up residence in the village to help save lives. Located in a metal yellow box on the wall outside Unity Carstins showroom in Station Road, the defibrillator was purchased by Balsall Common Lions, the heated box was installed free of charge by John Sleath from a local business called ‘The Job Squad’ and the installation was facilitated by FastAid Community First Responder Jeff Way.
This is the second CPAD site in Balsall Common and others are planned for the future. Staff at Carstins will be trained by FastAid in Life Support, CPR and the use of the Defibrillator by FastAid to join more than 100 Balsall Common residents who have already been taught lifesaving skills.
Andy Jeynes, the Trust’s Birmingham Community Response Manager, said: “This is what you call real community spirit. This new installation gives peace of mind to locals. The quicker you start CPR and shock a patient in cardiac arrest with a defibrillator, the better the chances they have of surviving.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Pictured (left to right): John Sleath (The Job Squad), Jeff Way (FastAid) Simon Gould (Unity Carstins) and Mark Whitfield (Balsall Common Lions)