New defibrillator group set up in Athlone
A new group has been set up to oversee the maintenance of defibrillators in Athlone.
It follows a call back in November of last year by Athlone-based paramedic Darren Mulledy for locals to come together to monitor the town's defibrillators, ensure they are in working order and ready for use in a cardiac emergency.
Since then a meeting has taken place and a new committee has now been formed for the new Athlone Defibrillators group.
Its Chairperson Cllr John Dolan knows better than most the value of a working defibrillator, given that his own life was saved by the device when his heart stopped at home back in 2017.
He said the first job of the group is to document the number of defibrillators in Athlone and its environs, check if they are in working order, and then see where the gaps are.
Cllr Dolan asked community groups to come forward if there is a defibrillator in their own area so it can be added to the list.
“Long-term we want to ensure the town and environs has a defibrillator within reach and that someone doesn't have to run for one. Personally, I'd also like to see defibrillators available 24/7,” he said, adding that people could need a defibrillator anytime, not just within office hours.
The group is also looking into the possibility of registering all of Athlone defibrillators on a specially set up app that lists the availability of the lifesaving devices nationwide, and holding training sessions to ensure people know how to use them.
Darren Mulledy said he is delighted there is a group and a committee in place, working on behalf of the people of Athlone.
“I wish this group the best of luck going forward, I'm delighted at long last defibrillators will be checked regularly and ones that are available to the public will be 100% maintained to a very high standard.
“Athlone is your town, please get behind this group and support them. Having defibrillators operating on a PADS system (Public Access Defibrillators) will hopefully save lives in Athlone,” Mr Mulledy said,
Athlone Defibrillators group is made up of Cllr John Dolan, Chairperson, Daniel Berry Joint Treasurer, Seamus Faherty, Assistant Secretary, Chris Cahill, Secretary, Sarah Doolan, Joint Treasurer, Maeve Kelly, PRO, and John Bruton, Vice Chairperson.