Cardiac-related deaths could be greatly reduced in Buckinghamshire after 15 defibrillators were installed in fire engines across the county this week.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority announced that one fire engine in each of the county’s 15 stations are now fitted with automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).

The fire authority stated that if a person suffers a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces their chance of survival by ten per cent

AEDs can deliver an electrical current through the chest which aims to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm, allowing it to pump again.

Chief Fire Officer Jason Thelwell said: “Against the backdrop of a 10-year decline in the number of emergency incidents firefighters are being called to, we are continuing to find ways to help our local communities and save lives.

“We already do this by preventing and responding to fires and road traffic collisions, and by responding to medical emergencies from some of our fire stations.

“The defibrillators are further evidence that we will always put the needs of the community first.”

Public-access defibrillators are also available at Brill, Princes Risborough, Waddesdon and Winslow Fire Stations, and plans are underway for more to be added.