Bracknell Business Improvement District (BID) has funded three new defibrillators for people to use in an emergency in the Western and Southern Business area.
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Available 24/7 for use in an emergency, all three defibrillators are kept in locked cabinets, with the access code available by calling 999.
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The defibrillators have been installed at Acorn House in Longshot Lane, at Greggs in Western Road, and at Bailey’s Garage in Bilton Industrial Estate.
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The British Heart Foundation estimate that more than 60,000 sudden cardiac arrests take place each year outside of a hospital environment, and there is strong evidence that having defibrillators available at work and in public spaces saves lives.
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Maria Sabey, Chair of Bracknell BID, said: “The BID was delighted to fund these new defibrillators, which have been installed in public places close to businesses in the BID area, and can be used by any member of the public in an emergency. The BID is focussed on delivering on our business plan objectives, which includes developing benefits for those who work in businesses in the BID area that promote the feeling of community and a sense of well-being. We would like to thank Rafform (Eastern) Limited, Greggs, and Bailey’s Garage for hosting the defibrillators.”
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The defibrillators are fully automatic and are suitable for adults and children by simply switching settings.
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Nic Dunbar, Head of Community Engagement & Training at the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am extremely pleased to hear that another three defibrillators have been made available in the Bracknell area, as a person in cardiac arrest will not survive if they don’t receive assistance. Around 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur in the UK every year and emergency services attempt resuscitation in around half, but just one in 10 people survive to hospital discharge and their chances of survival drop by 10% for every minute that they are not receiving CPR, so speed of response is vital. Learning how to perform CPR before you need to use it and how to use Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – and where they are located in your area – will give someone the best chance of survival.”
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Donna Vittozzi, owner of Bailey’s Garage where one of the defibrillators is housed, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in this hugely important scheme and when we were asked if we would host the Defib, it was a no brainer. There are a number of businesses on the Southern Industrial Estate, and we have many customers in and out of our premises all day every day. Having a vital piece of life saving equipment on hand means a great deal and gives peace of mind.”
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Ruth Lethem, Greggs Area Manager, said: “When the Bracknell BID approached us to collaborate on this project, we were delighted to be involved as defibrillators are proven to be vital to the community. Our premises at the Western Trade site are memorable and visible from the roadside and we hope that if it’s ever needed that by hosting this unit it can help people locally. Greggs pride ourselves on being part of the local community wherever we operate and this seemed like the right thing to do.”
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In April 2020, businesses voted in favour of the Bracknell BID for five years until 2025.
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Businesses pay an annual levy which is used to deliver the BID projects in line with the BID Business Plan, securing significant funds to be spent on delivering improvements to the area, such as the defibrillator project.
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The Board is governed by local business people, who all give up their time as directors on a voluntary basis to help steer the project delivery.
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For further information follow Bracknell BID on @BracknellBID on social media.