NORTH West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) has presented a number of police stations across Cheshire with automated external defibrillators (AED), used to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Ellesmere Port is among the stations to receive the life-saving pieces of kit and the police have bolstered this number with additional AED purchases to equip their core station locations.

Training in how to use the equipment is being managed by Cheshire police instructors, while being overseen and directed by Rob Hussey, community defibrillation officer and trained paramedic for the Cheshire and Merseyside area of NWAS.

The training given ensures that those who will be using the AEDs have the skills needed to operate the machines safely to resuscitate heart failure victims.

Mr Hussey said: “We are delighted to be working with Cheshire Constabulary in placing life-saving defibrillator equipment at key police stations throughout the Cheshire area.

“In supporting the ambulance service, police officers and designated support staff will receive training to react swiftly to heart-related emergencies occurring nearby, offering victims of such events, substantially enhanced chances of survival.

“Thanks must go to Cheshire Constabulary for supporting heart safe areas within Cheshire communities, and also to the British Heart Foundation, who have contributed defibrillator equipment, through National Lottery funding.”

Dave Challenor, vector trainer for Cheshire Constabulary, said: “Police officers and staff will be trained in this vital piece of equipment, which may one day be called into action to help save a life.”

The defibrillators have been given as part of the National Defibrillator Programme, which is funded by the National Lottery through the British Heart Foundation.

The scheme aims to place AED machines in local communities throughout the Cheshire and Merseyside area.