Learn how to be a lifesaver

The community fire station is the only one in East Dunbartonshire to take part in a pilot programme in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation that aims to save a extra 1,000 people’s lives by 2020.

The Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) sessions are part of the Scottish Government’s Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy.

CPR manikins will be available at the station, along with a DVD, equipping members of the public with the information they need to become life-savers.

The initiative will kick-off tomorrow (Friday, October 16) to coincide with ‘European Restart a Heart Day’, and it is planned to role out the programme nationwide.

Stephen Ruth, station manager at Milngavie, said: “The Fire and Rescue Service has a proud history of saving lives. We believe that every single life is important.

“Through our commitment to the Scottish Government’s Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy, we have the opportunity to educate others to become lifesavers. This also contributes to our own strategic aim of improving safety in our communities.

“The personnel of Milngavie Community Fire Station are delighted that their station will be the first in East Dunbartonshire to be hosting a public CPR training event.”

Mr Ruth said he wanted to encourage as many people as possible to come along to the first training session tomorrow and that his officers would make all members of the public most welcome for what is a vital life still.

He added: “This is an annual event organised by the European Resuscitation Council and is designed to raise cardiac arrest awareness by teaching members of the public how to restart a heart after a cardiac arrest. The initiative aims to pass on lifesaving skills to as many people as possible.

We would encourage everyone to come along and learn how to help save a life.”

The station is on Craigdhu Road and sessions start at 2.30pm, then 3.30pm, with the final one that day at 4.15pm. Each session will last for approximately 30 mins each.