New Gisborne Primary School staff are better placed to respond to medical emergencies, thanks to a Metropolitan Fire Brigade donation of a defibrillator.
The donation was arranged by MFB officer and school council president Michael Campbell after upgrades meant the defibrillator was no longer required by the MFB.
The school’s first-aid staff have already been trained in how to use the defibrillator.
Mr Campbell said the presence of the life-saving equipment was reassuring for the school community.
He said a member of the school community recently experienced a suspected heart attack in the carpark, and that while the defibrillator was not required, staff members were able to assist knowing the equipment was on standby.
“When a person experiences cardiac arrest, every second counts,” Mr Campbell said.
“Access to early defibrillation, as well as immediate CPR, will help to improve survival rates and outcomes for the Gisborne community.”
The school is taking steps to have the defibrillator added to the Public Access Defibrillator Register.
