DEFIBRILLATORS have been placed outside of every fire station in Merseyside.

A total of 25 of the potentially life-saving devices have been installed on all of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's (MFRS) community fire stations are are freely available to use by the public in a cardiac emergency.

Defibrillators work by delivering a high energy electric shock to someone suffering a cardiac arrest and help to restore a stable heart rhythm.

Recent studies show that when someone goes into cardiac arrest, a shock given within three minutes provides the best chance of survival.

Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said: “As a fire and rescue service, we are in the business of saving lives and these devices do just that.

"They are safe and simple to use and could potentially save a member of our community’s life.

“We are extremely proud to say that every single one of our fire stations is now home to one of these potentially life-saving pieces of equipment and that any member of the public can access them should they need to.”

The rollout has seen MFRS work closely with North West Ambulance Service and will mean anyone going into cardiac arrest nearby will have a better chance of survival.

Each defibrillator has been placed in a clearly marked cabinet on the exterior of all MFRS’ community fire stations.

Each station is also a designated ‘Safe Haven’ where any member of the public – including children and young people – can go if they feel unsafe in any situation.

CFO Garrigan added: “We want people in our communities to know that their fire stations are a place of safety, not just in the event of a cardiac arrest when they need to use one of the defibrillators, but in any situation where they are feeling vulnerable, at risk or feeling under threat from harm.

“Our fire stations are welcoming and friendly places in the heart of the community, making them the ideal locations for Safe Havens and for publicly accessible defibrillators.”

Anyone needing access to a defibrillator installed at one of MFRS’ fire stations should dial 999 to gain access and follow the instructions given by the device.