This article is from page 21 of the 2012-06-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
THERE have been calls for a system to be put in place to allow for weekly battery checks of difibrillators to be installed in Ennis.
Four defibrillators have already been purchased for Ennis following a well-supported fundraising drive.
The Ennis Defibrillator Committee are now seeking to make Ennis the town with the most people trained in the use of defibrillators.
It was launched last February after the issue of defibrillator cover in the town raised at a meeting of Ennis Town Council.
In response to a motion tabled by Labour councillor Paul O’Shea, the Health Services Executive informed the council that defibrillators were available in three locations – Clare County Council, Ennis Leisure Centre and Lees Road.
That sparked calls for the life saving equipment to be made available on the 24/7 basis in the town cen- tre.
Each defibrillator costs € 2,300 and the committee have raised enough money to purchase four units. These units will be positioned at key locations throughout Ennis in the coming weeks.
The campaign has also been backed by the Clare Area Red Cross, who are now providing training in defibrillator use.
The Red Cross has already provided training to 20 community groups and over 400 people in the use of defibrillators.
The Chairman of the Ennis Defibrillator Committee, Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) has now called on Ennis Town Council to provide staff to carry out battery checks on a weekly basis.
In a motion submitted to today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr O’Shea states, “That Ennis Town Council provide personnel to undertake a weekly battery check on public defibrillators that are to be installed throughout the town.”