Ewyas Harold gets new defibrillator thanks to teamwork by Hereford and Worcester First Responder Group and Ewyas Harold Parish Council
Ewyas Harold village, nestling in the countryside south west of Hereford, has received a new community defibrillator thanks to teamwork by the local fire station and the Parish Council.
This life saving piece of kit has been made possible following joint funding by Ewyas Harold Parish Council and Sue Watkins, treasurer for Hereford and Worcester First Responder Group.
Identifying an urgent need for a defibrillator in the village, the Parish Council explored opportunities and potential to make it happen, despite setbacks and delays such as the recent floods and currently the coronavirus pandemic.
The need had become clear in view of one end of the village being slightly remote from the main hub, with an ageing demographic and further housing developments planned.
With joint funding secured, the Council worked in conjunction with HWF&RS and Place Partnership to achieve the installation of the defib.
Scoping the best location to site it, Councillor Malcolm Watkins consulted Watch Commander John Chance, from Ewyas Harold Fire Station, for advice. Working together they pinpointed the fire station as the most convenient and strategically located position for it.
John rapidly gained the required authority from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service and Place Partnership Limited (who provide essential services for HWF&RS) to site it at the station, and then lost no time in organising the installation of the ‘defib’ there.
The new defib represents the village’s fourth defibrillator, the others being outside the Memorial Hall, the Golden Valley Practice Doctor’s surgery and The Pavilion. People needing access to them should ring 999 and give the post code on the box, to receive the code to unlock the cabinet.
Station Commander Adrian Thompson said: “Achieving the new defib is an excellent step forward for the village. There have been numerous hurdles to negotiate in these troubled times, but the end result could potentially save someone’s life in the village.
“Ewyas Harold has a really strong bond with their local fire station and we’re delighted we could help make it happen. I should also pay tribute to Nicky Jauncey and Marcos Hitchman of Place Partnership who supported us throughout.”
