Elbląg expands public AED defibrillator network to boost emergency response

The municipal authorities of Elbląg, Poland, will increase the city’s publicly accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) network before the end of the year. New devices will be installed at high‑traffic locations such as Park Dolinka, Park Planty, the Old Town, Plac Słowiański, the Dębica cemetery and other public facilities. The program is carried out in cooperation with the local State Fire Service and includes first‑aid and AED‑handling training for residents, scheduled to commence during the Elbląg Bread Festival. An interactive map in the wElbląg mobile application already shows the locations of existing AEDs, and signage is being added to guide the public to the nearest device. Officials emphasize that rapid defibrillation within three to five minutes of cardiac arrest can raise survival odds to 50‑70 %, reinforcing the city’s commitment to public health and safety.