The replacement defibrillator has been installed at Hey St John Church on Stamford Road, Lees, after the previous device reached the end of its service life because replacement components were no longer available.
The new device was funded by Liberal Democrat councillors Alicia Marland, Sam Al Hamdani and Mark Kenyon.
Defibrillators require replacement pads and batteries before their expiry dates. Once the pads on the previous unit expired, it was no longer recognised by the North West Ambulance Service as a viable device.
Councillor Alicia Marland said, "I was delighted that the Church Warden reached out for support when the device pads expired and that I was able to advise on suitable sources for a replacement. These are costly medical devices so it was important to financially support the church on this project as it is such an invaluable piece of kit in any community."
She added, "Knowing where your nearest defibrillator is located is vital as every second counts when a cardiac arrest has happened and early intervention significantly increases a person's chances of survival."
The device is designed to be used without formal training. Once opened, it provides voice and visual instructions to guide users through the emergency response.
Councillor Marland said, "It contains everything you need to perform resuscitation and I never forget the brutal reality of what a paramedic once told me. If a person has had a cardiac arrest then they are already dead as they have no heartbeat. However by stepping up to perform CPR you are giving them a chance to live again."
People can find the location of their nearest public access defibrillator by visiting defibfinder.uk.
