Fire station defibrillator

Buncrana fire station is to be the first in Donegal to receive a defibrillator machine. The machine will make a huge difference to the brigade as it will mean that they can provide crucial on the spot treatment in an emergency situation. At the moment, they have to wait until other emergency services arrive on the scene. A defibrillator generates a type of electric shock that can restart a person’s heart. It is most effective in the first few moments of cardiac arrest. The machine is being donated through the Evelyn Grant Defibrillator Fund. The Grant family in Burnfoot began raising money for the fund after their mother Evelyn died suddenly last April. The decision to donate the machine to the firestation was made and announced at a public meeting in Burt GAA Clubhouse last Wednesday night. The money was raised through a combination of fundraising events in the Burt, Inch and Fahan area, including a night at the races and a crazy football tournament. The family donating a number of machines. The Newtowncunningham Community Development Initiative (NCDI) in Newtowncunningham and Burt GAA club will recive on each. Other locations have yet to be decided. A member of the family explained that they decided to raise the money after they realised the importance of the machines in saving lives. “Mammy had no symptoms or no family history.If we would have had a machine when she became ill, it might have made a difference. We’ll never know. That’s why we wanted to raise money. If one life is saved through these machines, then some good would come out of our tragedy.” They decided to donate one to the firestation when they realised that although there are members of the brigade trained in the use of defibrillators, they had yet to receive one. James McKenna, chief fire-officer, believes that the machine will make a huge difference to them. He said: “We’re delighted to get it. It’s a great addition for us. It’s all thanks to the Grant family. On behalf of myself and the Brigade we would like to thank all of the Grant family for this wonderful donation.” The Grant family is currently in the process of organising information meetings in the area where they will liase with the public to decide the best possible locations and training for other defibrillator machines.