This article is from page 10 of the 2012-02-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
CONCERNS have been expressed at the location and availability of lifesaving defibrillators in the county town. Ennis Town Councillor Paul O’Shea (Lab) believes that the local authority should provide 24-hour access to defibrillators that are placed at convenient locations, in sight of CCTV cameras on the main streets with no less than a three-minute walk from each installation.
Ennis Town Council currently has three defibrillators. One is located in the Customer Service office of Ennis Town Council and two in the council’s Sports and Leisure Facilities – one in Ennis Leisure Complex and one in Lees Road.
Ennis Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said, “Staff have been trained in the use of this equipment. Clare County Council also has a defibrillator, which is located on its property within the town. The local authority does not have a role in relation to other privately-owned or community-owned defibrillators. The council’s CCTV network is available as a resource for the gardaí, with whom Ennis Town works closely.”
Cllr O’Shea raised concerns, however, that the council offices close at five, the leisure centre at 9pm and Lees Road at 10pm. He said that defibrillators should ideally be positioned three minutes from each other, and be available 24 hours a day.
“We probably need a few (defibrillators) but we need a 24-hour one,” he said.
Mr Cleary explained that there are a number of other defibrillators in the town centre owned by voluntary organisations.
Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said it was an issue of awareness. “I don’t know where they are located,” she said.
The councillor called for all defibrillators to be clearly marked and visible to the public.
Ennis Town Manager Ger Dollard reminded the council that the provision of defibrillators is not a function of the local authority.
“Perhaps the HSE have a better idea of where the defibrillators are located,” he said.