Win a life saving defibrillator for your school!

Schools and their pupils across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to get their creative juices flowing to win a life saving defibrillator.

45 devices, manufactured by Belfast company HeartSine Technologies, were provided to this year’s World Police and Fire Games and will now be presented to 45 schools as part of the 2013 Games’ life saving legacy programme.

The defibrillators will be given to children who can best sum up why their school should receive the device, which will be judged by a panel made up of representatives from HeartSine, World Police and Fire Games and the Red Cross, who have offered to provide free training to all schools selected.

Schools who wish to take part should state in more than 150 words: why their school should receive a defibrillator and where it will be located.

Andy McClernon, International Product Manager at HeartSine Technologies, said the programme will ensure local schoolchildren are protected from the devastating condition, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA):

 

“SCA is one of the UK’s biggest killers. In fact, about 270 people die from it in the UK every single day. It can happen to anyone, at any time. That’s why we wanted the defibrillators which were originally stationed at World Police and Fire Games venues to be passed on to our local schools, so that pupils, staff, teachers and visitors are all protected should SCA occur. If someone suffers Sudden Cardiac Arrest, with CPR alone, survival rates are less than 5%. If, however, you combine CPR with the use of a defibrillator, then the rate of survival can increase to an incredible 70%.”
 
Schools will be judged on how best they demonstrate benefits to the school, evidence that pupils have learned about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and indication that teachers and students have worked on the application with consultation with their parents and local community.

Applications should also address how the wider school community will benefit from the defibrillator in particular local sports clubs, and accessibility to the community outside of the school term.


John Tully, Chief Executive of the 2013 World Police and Fire Games, said: “The Games were a resounding success and thankfully none of the devices had to be employed during the summer, but it was fantastic to know they were available should any of the athletes have suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

“We wanted to leave an enduring and meaningful legacy of the 2013 Games and so are delighted that we are now able to pass the devices on to some extremely deserving local schoolchildren. 

“The competition is a superb way for the wider school communities to get involved and demonstrate what this device would mean to them. We have already had considerable interest from schools and we wish them all the best of luck.” 

Paula Powell from the Red Cross said: “84% of cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest occur outside hospitals, for example at school, the workplace or home, so access to an available defibrillator is vital. It’s incredible to think that 45 local communities around Northern Ireland will now have easier access to a defibrillator, thanks to HeartSine and the World Police and Fire Games. We will be providing training to all schools on how to use the defibrillators as, although modern defibs are very straightforward to use, our experience shows that completing a first aid course gives people the necessary understanding and also the confidence to get involved in an emergency situation. The rollout of these AED units will undoubtedly save lives in the coming years and that is a remarkable legacy for everyone involved in the World Police and Fire Games."


If you wish to avail of one of the 45 defibrillators, please state why your school should receive one and where it will be located in no more than 150 words and send it to info@2013wpfg.com by 5pm on Friday 8 November 2013.

Egor Iakovlev Chelyabinsk - Russian Federal Bailiffs Service

It's been a little over two months since we came back from the Games but to this day we still have this cheerful spirit; we are always in the great mood, telling all of our friends about our amazing trip and celebrating the big win!

Belfast is an incredible city; very beautiful, with lots of green parks, amazing architecture, friendly people, interesting tours and fun bars, which let us not only to compete in the great setting but also have an unforgettable vacation with family.

The colourful Opening Ceremony, perfect organisation of the whole competition, amazing helpful volunteers all created a comforting and very welcoming feeling from the beginning through to the very last day. 

Being in the same venue as my colleague Vladimir Averin, who was competing in Judo (I was competing in Karate) every day meant that we rooted for each other and of course supported each other. But besides sharing this experience and celebrating the win together, the Games also gave us an opportunity to meet new people from other countries, see old friends, plan to meet again at the next Games!!

Now we will just have to relive it in our memories, looking at the pictures. chatting, blogging and waiting for the next competition!

Laura Noble – London Fire Brigade

Last time you heard from me, I was gearing up to compete in the Bench Press and Ultimate Fire Fighter, and of course, experience the very best of Belfast. Well, what an amazing ten days I spent with like-minded people from all over the world. I hadn't even boarded my flight at Luton Airport, before I was approached by two volunteers, also heading to Belfast. And the friendliness did not stop there! Everyone I met from the bus drivers, to the staff at my accommodation, couldn't do enough for me as a tourist and everyone seemed genuinely excited about the Games being hosted in their city. The Opening Ceremony was a moving spectacle and there was something for everyone; from BMX stunt riders, traditional dancing, fireworks, to live music. It certainly set the tone for the start of the Games.

I stayed in halls of residence at Queen’s University which suited my needs and was an easy bus ride/walk into the city centre. Before my competitions started, I walked all over the city and found a few hidden gems. One of which had to be The Dock Café in the Titanic Quarter. Every city should have a venture just like it! I did a guided bike tour one day and found out even more about the vibrant city from a bona fide local. 

The Bench Press competition venue in Bangor was brilliant and only a short, picturesque train journey away from the city. The spectators really got behind each of the lifters, and several world records were broken which was great to witness. I got the gold medal in my category and of course, celebrated with a pint of Guinness or three afterwards!! 

My parents then arrived to support me in the Ultimate Fire Fighter competition. I was able to act as their tour guide for their stay. There was a lot of support at this event and great sportsmanship from all of the competitors. I didn't get on the podium this time but enjoyed it nonetheless.

I ended up feeling like a bit of a celebrity during my stay, as I was interviewed live on BBC Northern Ireland and also for the radio helping to spread the word about the different events on offer.

Near the end of my stay, I hired a car and drove up the North Coast with my parents to The Giants Causeway and Portrush. It was a lovely drive, the only down side was not having the time to visit all of the little towns and villages on the way! We managed to catch some of the volleyball action in Portrush, followed up with the obligatory fish’n’chips supper on the seafront.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Belfast and my parents loved it too! The Games were fantastic, such a buzzing atmosphere and it definitely lived up to its mantra of “The Friendliest Games Ever”. Thank you Belfast!