Community Defibrillator Service

infobox | Community Defibrillator Service

Status of this service: Open to new applications
Last updated: 10 January 2024

image | Community Defibrillator Service
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Defibrillator inside a traditional Red Phonebox
text | Community Defibrillator Service

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:

  • new community defibrillators installed in your community
  • defibrillator maintenance (regular checks, ongoing maintenance and replacement parts for your defibrillator)

Our Membership Brochure [pdf / 1.12 MB] provides a fully summary of this service including the benefits, what's included, and costs.

New community defibrillator 

Eligible organisations can apply to have a new defibrillator installed for wider community access. New defibrillator installations include: 

  • a brand new automatic external defibrillator 
  • a secure external cabinet 
  • installation and connection to power
  • a first aid responder kit within the cabinet
  • registration with the ambulance service

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 £400* is required for each new defibrillator installation. This will be payable prior to any installation.  

*Price valid until 31 March 2024

Eligible organisations

Any organisation can apply for a new community defibrillator to be installed.

Organisational requirements

Any organisation applying for a new community defibrillator must meet the following requirements:

  • have a constitution or similar governing document (excluding parish or town councils)
  • have written permission from the building or land owner where the defibrillator will be installed
  • organisation applying must also register for our maintenance service
  • organisation applying will be responsible for providing a local permanent power source for the defibrillator cabinet

Location requirements

Each new defibrillator location must meet the following requirements: 

  • must be within the district of West Lindsey
  • must be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • must be for wider community access and benefit
  • must not duplicate an existing defibrillator provision

Defibrillator maintenance

All defibrillators require regular checks and on-going maintenance. The electrode pads and battery inside a defibrillator are consumable parts and will need replacing. Electrode pads need replacing every time they are opened even if the defibrillator isn’t used to deliver a shock. Batteries need replacing every time a defibrillator is used or when it 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. Membership includes: 

  • quarterly maintenance checks
  • replacement battery and electrode packs following expiration
  • replacement battery and electrode pads as required following defibrillator being deployed
  • a loan device (within 24 hours of deployment) until the original device is located and checked
  • defibrillator cabinet heater and lock repair

Cost

The cost of defibrillator maintenance is £100* (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.

*Price valid until 31 March 2024.

Eligible organisations

Any organisation can join our defibrillator maintenance service.

Location requirements

To be eligible to register for our defibrillator maintenance service, the defibrillator location must meet the following requirements:

  • must be within the district of West Lindsey
  • must be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • must be for wider community access and benefit
  • must not duplicate an existing defibrillator provision

Register for defibrillator maintenance

To register for our defibrillator maintenance please complete and submit our registration form [pdf / 288 KB].

How to apply?

To apply for a new community defibrillator or register for defibrillator membership, please complete our Community Defibrillator Service Registration Form [pdf / 288 KB]. 

You can submit your completed registration form form via email to: defib@west-lindsey.gov.uk 

Contact details 

If you have a query about this service or need further advice please contact us via email: defib@west-lindsey.gov.uk