Police cars fitted with defibrillators

PC Terry Green with a defibrillator

Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP’s) traffic cars have been fitted with defibrillators as part of closer working between police and the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

The move came into effect on 10 April, and allows officers to provide potentially life-saving care at the scene of emergencies if they arrive before paramedics.

More than 170 officers in GMP’s Traffic Network Section have been trained to use the devices, 36 of which have been distributed among road policing units, teams who use automatic number plate recognition cameras, serious collision investigators and those responsible for escorting high-risk prisoners.

Sergeant Catherine Hynes of GMP’s Traffic Network Section said: “We have already had some success with this tactic, as on the first day that defibrillators were taken out in cars, two officers used a device on a man who had taken an overdose at his home in Cheadle.

“Although they did not need to administer a shock, they placed pads on his chest to assess him, and the man was treated by paramedics as soon as they arrived at the scene. He was later taken to hospital where he made a full recovery, and we hope that this new way of working with the ambulance service will help to save more lives in future.”

NWAS Community Resuscitation Manager for Greater Manchester, David McNally, said: "We are delighted that GMP is on board with this initiative which will ultimately equip traffic officers to potentially save lives.

"In the event of a person suffering cardiac arrest, quick action must be taken to give the patient the best chance of survival.

"It is proven that in every minute that passes without intervention, the chances of survival decrease by up to 14 per cent. Effective CPR and defibrillation ensures the patient has the best chance of survival."