Councillors want improved mapping for defibrillator sites

Local councillors have asked for improvements in how defibrillator sites across Cavan are mapped.

The discussion was part of a wide-ranging debate which even suggested that tech giants such as Google should become more involved by helping to signal locations.

Furthermore, it was stated as a point of importance, that both accessibility and maintenance must be addressed.

“There’s no point looking for a defibrillator when you need one and it not working,” suggested Fianna Fáil’s Aiden Fitzpatrick, who tabled a motion on the subject at the recent monthly meeting of Cavan County Council.

Cllr Fitzpatrick had asked that Cavan County Council take a lead role in conducting a survey to identify the locations of defibrillators locally, and then have finger posts erected to direct people in cases of emergency.

The Kill native told the meeting, held at Cavan Courthouse, how he had visited Connemara in Galway where the council had erected signposts identifying where the potentially life-saving device was located.

He reported too how people frequently posted questions on defibrillator locations within Cootehill, on various local WhatsApp groups.

“So people are thinking about this,” he asserted. He observed how a defibrillator is located inside the courthouse main door, but there’s no sign outside the building to advertise the fact. The same, Cllr Fitzpatrick added, could be said of other properties throughout the county.

His motion was supported by party colleague, Philip Brady, who said in his own area of Mullahoran there were occasions of late where access to a defibrillator was “very close” to being needed. However it was later discovered, the code to access the box containing the device was not readily available.

“They had to break it to get into it,” he said.

Clifford Kelly (FF) also supported the motion, as did Independent Councillor Shane P O’Reilly, who said he was aware of one emergency situation where a defibrillator was obtained only to discover the battery needed replacing.

He pointed out that mapping had been undertaken before, but it was important the list is updated regularly.

“Having one in a locked community centre, it’s not much good there,” he scoffed.

“Those extra minutes might save a life,” he continued, having regard to the planned closure of the emergency department at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan also. “We’ll need them even more.”

Brendan Fay (Ind), Craig Lovett (FF) and Fine Gael’s TP O’Reilly also contributed to the debate, the latter suggesting that defibrillator sites be pin-pointed on the likes of Google Maps.

Sean Smith and Patricia Walsh (FF) spoke too.

Cllr Walsh said at the coalface of a medical emergency it wasn’t always easy to remember off the top of your head where defibrillators were located. In a recent emergency, the device located at Tullacmongan pitch was having its battery replaced, meaning the next nearest was at the Credit Union on Cavan Town’s Main Street.

Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley commended the motion, suggesting that it might be a matter for elected members appointed to the HSE Forum to raise further.

Director of Services, Brendan Jennings, rounded out the debate by notifying the elected members that the National Ambulance Service were carrying out a survey on defibrillator sites throughout the country and to report on their respective conditions.

“It’s important to allow them to do that work,” he said, adding that the other issues raised during the debate might be something that could be addressed also.

“We’ll let the National Ambulance Service do what they’re doing and see what the outcome of that is.”

Cllr Fitzpatrick responded by saying at the very least the council could busy themselves by erecting signage.