Status of this service: Open to new applications
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Contents
- Introduction to defibrillators
- Summary of our Community Defibrillator Service
- Defibrillator maintenance
- New community defibrillator with maintenance
- Terms and conditions
- Contact details
Introduction to defibrillators
As a Local Authority we recognise the role we can play in supporting local communities to be safe and healthy places to live.
Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) are portable devices that can be used on someone having a cardiac arrest. They check the heart rhythm and send an electric shock to the heart to try and restore a normal rhythm.
In the event of someone suffering a cardiac arrest, the time it takes to administer aid is critical. Having access to a nearby defibrillator can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to administer lifesaving support.
They give the best possible chance for someone to survive until medical services arrive. Prompt CPR and defibrillation can more than double someone’s chances of survival.
Summary of our Community Defibrillator Service
Our Community Defibrillator Service provides new defibrillators and helps maintain existing devices in public locations throughout West Lindsey.
Through this service we can provide:
Defibrillator maintenance
Receive regular checks, on-going maintenance, and replacement parts for your defibrillator.
New community defibrillator with maintenance
Apply to have a new defibrillator installed in your community with ongoing maintenance.
Defibrillator maintenance
All defibrillators require regular checks and ongoing maintenance. The electrode pads and battery inside a defibrillator are consumable parts and will need replacing. Electrode pads need replacing every time the pads are opened even if the defibrillator isn’t used to deliver a shock. Batteries need replacing every time a defibrillator is used or when the battery expires.
If the defibrillator isn’t used, typically pads and batteries have a lifespan of between 2 to 4 years before they need replacing. If these parts are not maintained, the defibrillator may not work in an emergency.
Our defibrillator maintenance provides peace of mind that your community defibrillator will be kept emergency ready.
Defibrillator maintenance includes:
- replacement battery and electrode pads following expiration
- replacement battery and electrode pads as required following device deployment
- a loan device (within 24 hours of deployment) until the original device is located and checked
- quarterly maintenance check
- access to online status reporting tool
- cabinet heater and lock repair or replacement
Deployment of your defibrillator
Ambulance Services notify us directly when your defibrillator is used. We attend automatically when this happens to check and service the defibrillator. If the defibrillator has been used, we will replace the battery and pads to make it emergency ready again.
Maintenance checks
We will attend in person to perform quarterly checks on your defibrillator. Our officers will ensure the defibrillator is emergency ready, check the cabinet is in working order and replace parts as needed.
Loan defibrillator
If your defibrillator is deployed or out of action for any reason, we will provide a loan device until your defibrillator is operational again. This ensures there is always a defibrillator available.
Replacement battery and pads
The battery and pads on a defibrillator typically last for 2 to 4 years and need replacing every time the defibrillator is used. Through this service you receive unlimited replacements when needed.
Cost
The cost of defibrillator maintenance is £1101 (including VAT) per year.
This service is billed annually covering the financial year April to March. Organisations joining mid-financial year will be billed pro-rata.
This service is billed by invoice, and we provide a range of methods for payment including BACS and cheque.
Eligible organisations
Any organisation can join our defibrillator maintenance service.
Location requirements
To be eligible to register for defibrillator maintenance, the defibrillator location must meet the following requirements:
- defibrillator must be within the district of West Lindsey
- defibrillator must be accessible 24/7 hours
- defibrillator must be for wider community access and benefit
- defibrillator must not duplicate an existing defibrillator provision
Register for defibrillator maintenance
To register for defibrillator maintenance, please complete our online application form.
New community defibrillator with maintenance
Eligible organisations can apply to have a new defibrillator installed for wider community access. The average cost for a new fully installed defibrillator is approximately £2,500. Our Community Grant Programme provides funding support meaning you only need to make a match contribution for a new defibrillator.
A new community defibrillator with maintenance includes:
- a brand new automatic external defibrillator
- a first responder kit (gloves, scissors, CPR mask)
- a secure external cabinet to house the defibrillator
- installation and connection to power source for cabinet heater
- registration of the defibrillator with The Circuit and emergency services
Expert installation and training
Defibrillators can be installed at a range of locations including village halls, telephone kiosks, shops, pubs, schools, and community buildings. We use qualified electricians to complete all installations.
Connection to power
All new defibrillator installations require access to a power source. Power is required for the heater inside the defibrillator cabinet. The heater uses minimal power and ensure the defibrillator electrode pads do not freeze when the temperature drops below 5° Celsius.
Cost
We part fund the cost of new defibrillators. A financial contribution must be made for each defibrillator applied for. This can come from the organisation applying, local fundraising and donations or grant funding. You can’t use other West Lindsey District Council grant funding as your contribution towards this service.
A contribution of £6002 is required for each new defibrillator installation. This will be payable prior to installation.
Eligible organisations
Any organisation can apply for a new community defibrillator to be installed.
Location requirements
Each new defibrillator location must meet the following requirements:
- it must be within the district of West Lindsey
- it must be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- it must be for wider community access and benefit
- it must not duplicate an existing defibrillator provision
Apply for a new community defibrillator with maintenance
Terms and conditions
Our Community Defibrillator Service has terms and conditions. All organisations registering for defibrillator maintenance or applying for a new community defibrillator must accept these terms and conditions.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Contact details
If you have any questions about this service or need further advice, please contact us by email at defib@west-lindsey.gov.uk