Bride Commissioners says the defibrillator in the village will no longer be in service.
The board said this follows abuse suffered by commissioners and volunteer guardians after it was found to be out of action when needed during a recent emergency.
Chair Pamela Kinrade set out the board’s position and that the device was “purchased privately via a donation from a resident of Bride village and not donated nor provided by a charity.”
Commissioners stated the defibrillator was checked by a volunteer on July 17 2025 and had a “working green flashing light.”
It was found to be out of battery life on August 17. The board said: “On September 10, the new battery arrived and was fitted in the afternoon.”
The board issued a new statement to correct the original date of October 10.
Unanimous
In a statement, the Commissioners said they “unanimously decided that until such time as a government or 3rd sector/medical service takes responsibility for the training of Guardians and co-ordination of the defibrillators across the island the defib in Bride Village will be: OUT OF SERVICE. This is effective immediately!!”
The decision was made “partly due to the reaction, abuse and threats that the volunteer Guardians and Commissioners suffered.”
The statement noted recent reports that “upward of 1/3rd of the island’s defibs are not currently in use, properly co-ordinated nor maintained”.
“This decision has been made partly due to the reaction, abuse and threats that the volunteer Guardians and Commissioners suffered following the recent incident.”
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