Dromore businessman buys defibrillator for community use

A DROMORE businessman has invested in a vital piece of life-saving equipment for his local community.

Kevin O’Neill recently fitted a defibrillator just outside his business along the Tummery Road, between Dromore and Irvinestown.

On his motivations for purchasing the defibrillator, Kevin, owner of O’Neill Mechanical and Electrical Services, said, “About a year ago an elderly couple were traveling along the road and the man took ill and it turned out to be a problem with his heart.

“We realised that although there are defibrillators in both Dromore and Irvinestown, it’s a fair stretch of road between the two. I thought we should get something here as we would be around half way between Dromore and Irvinestown and, who knows, somebody could get use from it,” he stated.

“It’s another point that people can go to for help and it closes down the large gap between the two towns – reducing the time it would take for someone to receive treatment, and even potentially saving a life.”

Kevin paid thanks to health and safety officer, Pat McDevitt, who was instrumental in getting the defibrillator fitted.

Dromore Health and Wellbeing representative, Liz O’Brien said, “It’s great to have a defibrillator in the Tummery area. It’s well known that the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest are greatly increased when CPR and defibrillator use are introduced early, so it’s a vital service to have in the area.

“Well done to O’Neill Electrical for their initiative and investment into this crucial piece of equipment,” Liz said.

The device is registered with NI Ambulance Service and the ambulance control will direct the 999 callers to the device. It will be maintained annually.

Kevin concluded, “We want to make people aware that it’s here if they need it and, at the end of the day, if it helps somebody then it’s money well spent.”