For more than 25 years, Tom Dodds has dedicated his career to helping people in emergencies. Based in Chopwell, Tyne and Wear, he spent 13 years working as an Ambulance Technician and has served as a volunteer Community First Responder with the Ambulance Service for the past 12 years.
Through his experience, Tom has seen first-hand the difference that early intervention can make during a cardiac arrest. One thing has always been clear to him: when every second counts, having immediate access to a rescue-ready defibrillator can save a life.
Living in a close-knit village where neighbours look out for one another, Tom is often someone people turn to in an emergency. A few years ago, while at work, he received alerts from his door camera showing people outside his home seeking help after a serious incident nearby. Watching from a distance and being unable to assist made him realise there was still a way he could support his community, even when he was not physically present.
Tom already owned a defibrillator that he used while providing medical cover at events. He decided to install it in an external cabinet outside his home and register it on The Circuit, making it available to emergency services and members of the public around the clock.
As a defibrillator guardian, Tom's role goes far beyond installing the device. He carries out regular checks, monitors battery and pad expiry dates, ensuring the defibrillator remains fully operational. Not long after the defibrillator was installed, Tom received confirmation from The Circuit that his defibrillator had been directed to a resuscitation attempt. For Tom, it was a powerful reminder of why public access defibrillators and dedicated guardians are so important.
Since then, Tom has installed four more defibrillators in the local area, maintains another on behalf of a community group and delivers community awareness sessions on giving CPR and how to use a defibrillator. Through this work, he continues to help more people feel prepared to act when someone needs them most.