Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher has received commitment that all Garda cars are to be fitted with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The Senator had previously called for AEDs to be installed in Garda vehicles and for all members to receive training in CPR and the use of defibrillators.
Senator Gallagher commented, “Members of the Garda are on the ground 24-7 and in many instances are first responders in an emergency. I am delighted that there are moves afoot to roll out the deployment of AEDs in Garda cars at a national level.
“We have great community volunteers who volunteer in cardiac arrest situations with defibrillators but for one reason or another the logistics of getting them out to a remote location might prove difficult. The Garda is always on the scene in an emergency situation and it makes perfect sense for every Garda vehicle to be equipped with a defibrillator or an AED and that every single member of the Gardaí would be trained to use it.
“I look forward to this initiative being rolled out throughout the country as soon as practically possible.”
The Senator also received an update that the National Ambulance Service has a list of locations for more than 2,000 AEDs on its national computer-aided dispatch system which it can use to advise emergency callers.
