Ards and North Down Borough Council Expands Public Access Defibrillator Network

Released: Tuesday 4 August 2026

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney alongside Michael Allen and Gareth Browne, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to announce the installation of 14 new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at various Council buildings across the Borough. Each device is housed in an externally mounted public access cabinet, ensuring the lifesaving equipment is available at any time, day or night, when every second counts. In addition, two of the Council's existing AEDs have been relocated to external cabinets, improving public access to these devices outside normal opening hours.

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Each of the defibrillators have been added to 'The Circuit' - the national defibrillator network (www.thecircuit.uk), meaning that where appropriate the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service can direct members of the public to retrieve the nearest available device to help someone in cardiac arrest.

In Northern Ireland, more than 1,400 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with fewer than 10% surviving to hospital discharge. However, early intervention can dramatically increase survival rates.

The Council's rollout supports the internationally recognised Chain of Survival, which outlines four essential steps proven to improve outcomes:

Early recognition of cardiac arrest and calling 999
Early CPR to maintain blood circulation
Early defibrillation using an AED
Early advanced care provided by emergency medical services

Survival chances decrease by approximately 10% for every minute without CPR and defibrillation, highlighting the importance of quick action and community access to AEDs.

In a life-threatening emergency, members of the public should always dial 999 immediately. Emergency Medical Dispatchers can provide CPR instructions and direct callers to the nearest available AED.

The Council is further supporting the Chain of Survival by facilitating a series of free Community Defibrillator and CPR Workshops, which will be delivered by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). The workshops are open to all and will include a practical CPR training element, giving attendees the opportunity to develop hands-on lifesaving skills. Sessions will take place at the various locations detailed below:

Monday 10th August 2026, 7.00pm - 8.30pm - Alderman George Green Community Centre (1 Rathgill Parade, Bangor, BT19 7TZ , Bangor)
Thursday 3rd September 2026, 12 noon - 1.30pm, Manor Court Community Centre (Mill Street, Newtownards, BT23 4LT , Newtownards)
Friday 2nd October 2026, 1.30pm - 3.00pm - Kircubbin Community Centre (4 Church Grove, Kircubbin, Newtownards, BT22 2SU, Kircubbin)
Wednesday 4th November 2026, 7.00pm - 8.30pm - Donaghadee Community Centre (The Parade, Donaghadee, BT21 0HG, Donaghadee)

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney said,

"It is great to see this life-saving equipment being installed across the Borough, helping to ensure that more people have access to a defibrillator in an emergency. These devices have the potential to save lives, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free awareness training available so they can feel prepared and confident to act when it matters most.

This initiative also reflects the Council's commitment to building and strengthening a Community of Lifesavers across the Ards and North Down area, empowering residents with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in an emergency and help save lives."

To register your interest in attending any of these training sessions, please email communityhalls@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Photo Caption: Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney alongside (L-R) Michael Allen and Gareth Browne, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Photo Credit - Ricky Parker Photography