Bigfork works to create map of town's defibrillators

The Bigfork Fire Department has paired with the Chamber of Commerce to create a map of defibrillators throughout town.

Defibrillation is the use of an electronic device that shocks a heart in cardiac arrest to reestablish its normal rhythms.

“Right now there’s quite a few defibrillators out there, but nobody knows where they are,” said Mick Borges of the Bigfork Fire Department. “We’re just trying to get the town on the same page in case of an emergency.”

He said while all of the department’s vehicles are outfitted with the devices, waiting for help to respond when someone is having a heart attack may take too long.

So far, 19 businesses and organizations have reported they have defibrillators.

Borges said once the town has identified the defibrillators, they will include the information on the Bigfork Chamber’s guide material, and possibly identify each location by a sticker on storefront windows. He said training on how to use defibrillators could also take place.

“The idea is that if a family finds itself downtown in Bigfork and grandpa keels over from a heart attack, they look and see Bigfork Playhouse has what they need and someone in there knows how to help,” Borges said.

To report a defibrillator location, contact Mick Borges mborges@bigforkfire.com at the Bigfork Fire Department or call the Chamber at 837-5888.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.