Residents could find it easier to locate life-saving defibrillators in an emergency under proposals set to be considered by Renfrewshire councillors next week.
Councillors Robert Innes and Stephen Burns have submitted a motion calling for greater promotion of publicly accessible defibrillators across Renfrewshire, improved public access to information on where they are located and work to identify any gaps in current provision.
The motion will be considered at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s Full Council on Monday, 22nd June.
It acknowledges the significant investment already made by the council and its partners in expanding access to defibrillators, including the installation of devices at schools, council facilities, leisure venues and community buildings across Renfrewshire.
Councillors will also be asked to recognise the importance of ensuring publicly accessible defibrillators are properly publicised, appropriately located and registered to support emergency response efforts.
The motion notes that a number of local authorities across Scotland have adopted strategic approaches to defibrillator provision, including community partnership working, mapping of device locations and initiatives aimed at identifying gaps in coverage.
If approved, the motion would see Renfrewshire Council work with relevant partners to promote awareness of publicly accessible defibrillators, improve public access to information on where they are located, support the identification of any gaps in provision and explore opportunities to strengthen community engagement and accessibility.
Councillor Innes said: “Renfrewshire has made significant progress in expanding access to publicly accessible defibrillators.
“The completion of the programme to install defibrillators across Renfrewshire’s learning estate demonstrates the council’s commitment to public safety and ensuring that communities have access to life-saving equipment when it is needed most.
“When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, every minute matters. We know that early intervention can make a critical difference, which is why access to defibrillators is so important.
“However, a defibrillator can only save a life if people know where it is. This motion is about building on the strong foundations already in place, improving awareness of existing devices in Renfrewshire and ensuring that residents can access information quickly and easily in an emergency.
“It is also about understanding whether there are opportunities to strengthen defibrillator provision further and ensuring that communities across Renfrewshire continue to benefit from them.”
Councillor Burns added: “Renfrewshire has already made significant progress in expanding access to defibrillators across our communities.
“This motion is a positive and practical proposal which focuses on building on that success by improving awareness, accessibility and community engagement.
“By working alongside local organisations and partners, we can help ensure that these life-saving devices are well understood, easy to locate and available when they are needed most.”
Photo: Councillors Stephen Burns (left) and Robert Innes (right) beside the defibrillator at the main reception area of Renfrewshire House
Photo Credit: Robert Innes