East Riding to benefit from launch of defibrillators in bin lorries

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has fitted each of its bin lorries with life-saving defibrillators.

The decision to install the machines in its 72 refuse vehicles will allow for the management of medical emergencies that might occur during the crew’s rounds.

To accompany the rollout of the equipment, which was acquired in partnership with the company Act Fast First Aid, the council’s refuse collection staff will also receive free bespoke training, including CPR and the operation of the defibrillators.

Backed by a Government grant allocated to help the council boost road safety standards and limit casualties, the £60,000 scheme will see over 80 of the local authority’s bin lorries fitted with defibrillators following the introduction of weekly brown bin food waste collections.

According to the council, the machines raise patient survival rates by over 70%, and their installation reflects the local authority’s support of the Vision Zero principle. This entails ‘that no road death or serious injury is acceptable and is committed to improving road safety, protecting lives, supporting residents, and making […] communities safe.’

The council has also confirmed that it is seeking to secure real-time tracking for its bin lorries to enable the quick location of trucks when defibrillators are needed.

Cllr Paul West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said he is ‘delighted the East Riding is leading the way’ with their pioneering project. 

Cllr West commented: ‘Our bin lorries travel thousands of miles on their rounds each week, visiting some of the most rural and remote places in the East Riding, so they are perfect to carry these life-saving devices just in case they are needed.

‘I am particularly proud that all our bin crews will play a vital role in this project and will help to enhance our commitment to protecting lives, supporting residents and staff and make our communities safer.’

Andrew Fowler, refuse collection lorry driver and crew member, added: ‘Hopefully we don’t have to use them but, obviously, if we do, we’re there and we’ll be able to offer support for anybody that needs them.’

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