Monday 2nd March 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

A fleet of East Riding bin lorries has been equipped with life‑saving defibrillators in what is believed to be the first scheme of its kind in the UK.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has fitted Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to all 72 of its refuse collection trucks, with the number set to rise above 80 as weekly brown‑bin food waste collections continue to roll out across the region. The move means bin crews will have the equipment to respond to medical emergencies while travelling through towns, villages and rural communities.

The council is also providing CPR and defibrillator training for every member of its bin crews. Although AEDs are designed to be used by anyone in an emergency, the authority says the additional training will strengthen its ability to support residents until paramedics arrive.

The £60,000 project has been funded through a Government grant aimed at improving road safety and reducing casualties. The council has partnered with Beverley‑based Act Fast First Aid to supply the devices, with the company also delivering bespoke training free of charge.

Talks are under way with Yorkshire Ambulance Service to explore real‑time tracking of bin lorries, allowing first responders or community volunteers to quickly identify the nearest vehicle carrying a defibrillator.

Two of the council’s road safety vehicles have also been fitted with AEDs.

Voices from the council and crews

Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport, said the initiative puts the East Riding “at the forefront” of public safety innovation.

“We believe this is the first time in the UK that defibrillators have been fitted to bin lorries and I’m delighted the East Riding is leading the way,” he said. “Our bin lorries travel thousands of miles each week, visiting some of the most rural and remote places in the East Riding, so they are perfect to carry these life‑saving devices.”

He added that he was “particularly proud” of the role bin crews will play in supporting residents and helping to make communities safer.

Refuse lorry driver Andrew Fowler said the equipment could make a vital difference in isolated areas.

“There’s still some places that don’t have defibrillators, so I think it’s great for people to have access to these machines,” he said. “Hopefully we don’t have to use them but, if we do, we’ll be able to offer support for anybody that needs it.”