A former fire chief last night launched a campaign to draw attention to a north-east town’s defibrillators.
John Anderson, who retired from the Fire and Rescue Service last year, has encouraged businesses in Fraserburgh to hang a poster in their window if they own one of the life-saving machines.
The one-time firefighter’s plea came as the town’s safety group, of which he is a member, started the process of raising money to purchase three more defibrillators which members of the public will be able to access 24 hours a day.
Last night, Mr Anderson joined up with the Shaw dental practice – where a defibrillator is already based – on Frithside Street to lay out the group’s plans.
He said: “There is an idea that there is a lack of defibrillators in Fraserburgh which was brought to the safety group’s attention in previous meetings.
“We eventually found out that there are ones at all of the town’s dentists, Asda, the Leisure Centre and Fraserburgh Football Club, but there is not one available when these places are closed. Unfortunately, that means that machines are only available through the working day.
“We’ve made up signs to let people know where they are, but we hope to actually start training people in CPR. The next phase will see us try and raise some cash to buy three defibrillators to place around the town on the streets.”
The machines would be locked and bolted onto walls.
Members of the public requiring one would call a hotline to be given access to them and talked through the procedure of attempting to resuscitate a person in need.
Mr Anderson estimates that the safety group will need to raise about £9,000 to purchase the machines.