Rotorua's civil defence team is now better equipped to handle heart-stopping events - thanks to local Lions clubs.
A defibrillator was recently presented to Rotorua Civil Defence Emergency Response Team members for them to keep in their emergency vehicle, taking them up to two defibrillators. The Lions Clubs of Rotorua East, Rotorua Sulphur City and Rotorua Geyserland, with the assistance of the Lloyd Morgan Lions Clubs Charitable Trust, presented the defibrillator to the team at the Civil Defence headquarters.
The Lions raised $3000 to buy the defibrillator.
"We have five trained medics in the team so when they are undertaking light rescue work, supporting emergency workers across the Bay of Plenty region, the two defibrillators will be on hand in the event of a medical emergency while we wait for St John or other health professionals," Civil Defence controller Stavros Michael said.
The Lions members received a demonstration of how the defibrillator worked from crew member Len McDonald.