Lifesaving kit for Budleigh town centre and seafront
Budleigh Salterton High Street. Ref exb 18-16SH 2918. Picture: Simon Horn. - Credit: Archant
A piece of lifesaving kit is set to be installed in Budleigh Salterton town centre after a fundraising scheme was given a boost.
Traders’ organisation Budleigh in Business has been campaigning to net a pair of defibrillators, for public use, to be sited at both ends of the seafront.
The items cost £1,650 each and the charity has raised enough money for two.
At a meeting on Monday, the town council agreed to supplement the trader organisation’s leftover funds to provide a third device for the town centre.
There is a defibrillator at the Budleigh Medical Centre, in The Lawn, but mayor Chris Kitson said it would be a ‘good thing’ for the community to have one when the medical centre is closed. Councillor Kitson added: “We thought the beach is an area that covers a long stretch. There is also need for a device in the town itself.
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“It’s important, because visitors may not know where the other devices are.
“If someone needs one in High Street, you don’t want to go as far as Lime Kiln car park to get the device.”
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The two seafront defibrillators will be fitted on the wall of the toilets at the top of Steamer Steps and in Lime Kiln car park.
These sites were chosen as they are close to a power supply needed to keep the devices at an ambient temperature during the winter.
The town council also agreed to pay for the installation and ongoing electrical and maintenance costs.
Installation of the seafront defibrillators will cost £264. A battery, which has a life of four years, costs £195 to replace.
The council will also have to replace the paddles after the device is used, which is believed to cost around £35 for a pack of two.
Members also agreed to become principle owners of the devices, with the council’s footpaths and foreshores committee taking responsibility.
The council will now work with Community Heartbeat Trust, which is providing the defibrillators, to find a location for the town centre piece of kit.
