Vital defibrillator in Ballee now accessible 24/7 after councillor’s campaign

(L-R) Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr, Rosanna Galloway (Braid Community Development), Tracy McCullough (Day Today Shop) and Dessie Elder (Braid Community Development)

In a significant boost to community safety in Ballee, a life-saving defibrillator has been relocated to an external wall of Ballee Community Centre, making it accessible 24 hours a day.

The move, spearheaded by Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr, addresses concerns raised by local residents about restricted access to the device, previously housed inside the community centre and available only during its opening hours.

The defibrillator, now mounted in a weatherproof, clearly marked cabinet near the main entrance, is designed to be used by anyone in an emergency, even those without prior training. The device provides simple automated instructions when opened, ensuring it can be operated effectively by bystanders.

This critical change enhances the community’s ability to respond swiftly to cardiac emergencies, where every second counts.

Councillor Barr, who championed the initiative, emphasised the importance of round-the-clock access to such equipment.

“A defibrillator locked behind closed doors isn’t much use in an emergency,” he said.

“I successfully worked with council officers and the Ballee community to ensure this equipment is available around the clock. For every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and not having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10%.”

The relocation of the defibrillator is a practical step towards improving survival rates for cardiac arrest victims in Ballee. According to the British Heart Foundation, rapid access to defibrillation significantly increases the likelihood of survival, with early intervention being critical in the first few minutes of a cardiac emergency.

The device is now registered on the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Circuit,’ a national database that maps the locations of publicly accessible defibrillators. This integration ensures that 999 call handlers can guide members of the public to the device and provide an access code, further streamlining emergency responses.

The project also benefited from community collaboration. Councillor Barr expressed gratitude to Maurice Cooper and Tracy McCullough from the nearby Day Today shop, who installed additional CCTV to protect the defibrillator from vandalism or misuse.

Their contribution underscores the collective effort behind this life-saving initiative.

For Councillor Barr, this achievement reflects his broader commitment to enhancing community safety across Ballee. “This was a common-sense change that will help save lives,” he stated. “It’s proof that when an issue is identified, the Ulster Unionist Party ensures that it is resolved.”

The successful campaign has been met with approval from local residents, who now have greater peace of mind knowing that vital equipment is readily available in an emergency. The move sets a precedent for other communities to ensure defibrillators are accessible when they are needed most.

As Ballymena continues to prioritise public health and safety, initiatives like this highlight the impact of proactive local leadership. With the defibrillator now available 24/7, Ballee is better equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies, potentially saving lives in the process.