A local Ballina company has repaired a defibrillator on the site of their offices and has opened it up for use for the local community, should the need arise.
TELUS International AI Data Solutions are based on Emmet Street in the town and relaunched the vital, life-saving equipment last week.
Company director Enda Cunnane spoke from experience to the Western People about the importance of having such equipment available for both their staff and the Ballina community.
Telus defibrillator with back row Catriona Dwyer (Telus), Grace Granahan (Telus), Ian Kilroy (Kilroy’s CarePlus Pharmacy), Declan Gilroy, Sinead Hanley, Jerry O’Mara (O’Mara Loftus and Company Chartered Accountants and Auditors), Simon Moran (Moran Furniture Stores), Leonard McDonnell (BCFR), Martina Burns (McGowans Funeral Director’s), Caoilfhinn Durkan (Jimmy’s Cafe), Ashling Connor (Telus), Jessica King (Telus), Enda Cunnane (Telus), front row, Conor Ruddy (Day Break) David Moyles (MOCS), Michael McDonnell (Telus) and Edel Sheridan (Telus). Picture: John O’Grady.
“In one of my previous companies, I witnessed a very unfortunate event where a man working for another company located in the same building had a cardiac issue and he unfortunately didn’t make it.”
“On a personal level, I’ve also known people in the town who have passed away in these kinds of circumstances. I’ve seen how defibrillators can save a life.”
Also in attendance at the launch event were members of the business community in the local area, some of whom will now be trained as first aid responders by David Moyles from Mike Oscar Consultancy First Aid, who also trained a number of first responders working for TELUS.
“We’re so happy to have business owners from the local community coming in to make them aware of the fact we’re putting in this defibrillator so that god forbid, any of their team member or staff needed it, they can take advantage of it,” said Enda.
He said that opening the equipment up for use in the community is a key part of TELUS’s ethos as a company.
“A key value of TELUS is giving back to the community, it’s a core TELUS value. We have got involved in a number of events, we support Ballina 2023, the local Salmon Run triathlon, Ballina Town ladies soccer team and a number of initiatives at Scoil Iosa such as Time to Read and Time to Count.”
The code number to use the defibrillator located outside TELUS’s offices on Emmet Street is C159X and the building’s Eircode is F26 TC53.