West Midlands Fire Service to carry defibrillators

Crucial progress has taken place in treating heart attack victims at the scene of a fire. West Midlands Fire Service has teamed up with the BHF to arrange for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to be carried on fire engines.

AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, which can happen without warning, even in people with no previously recognised symptoms of heart disease.

AEDs work to restore normal heartbeat - but it’s vital that they're used within 4-5 minutes of cardiac arrest. This is why firemen in the West Midlands will now play such a critical role in helping heart attack victims when attending the scene of a fire.

Remember though - the first port of call when either you, or someone around you, is experiencing heart attack symptoms is always 999 for an ambulance.

This is an important step forward in our and our partners' vital community work and and we rely on your help to enable us to do this. So please donate your time or money if you can.