Defibrillators in emergency vehicles

Summary

A request was made to the Department of Home Affairs regarding the number of emergency vehicles and defibrillators in the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service fleet, along with their usage policy. The authority disclosed that there are 37 emergency vehicles and 15 defibrillators, noting that while there is no specific policy, defibrillators are standard on first response vehicles.

Key Facts

• The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service has a total of 37 emergency vehicles island-wide.
• 14 of these vehicles carry a portable defibrillator device.
• The service owns 15 portable defibrillators in total, with one located at the Live Fire Training Facility.
• There is no specific policy regarding defibrillator devices; training and guidance are provided by Manx Care.
• Defibrillators are standard practice for all 'first response' vehicles, including major appliances and Duty Officer cars.

Data Disclosed

• 37
• 24
• 2
• 3
• 14
• 15
• 2026-01-29
• 2026-02-27
• 5263337

Original Request

1) How many emergency vehicles does the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service have in its fleet Island-wide? (Can this information also be broken down by station/area.) 2) How many vehicles carry a portable defibrillator device? 3) How many portable defibrillator devices do the Fire and Rescue Service own? 4) What is the Fire and Rescue Service's policy around defibrillator devices? 5) Is it standard practice to have one in vehicles?

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Coordinator DHA Headquarters Tromode Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5AP

Telephone: (01624) 687017 Web address: www.gov.im/dha
Email: DPO-DHA@dha.gov.im

Our ref: 5263337 16 February 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 29 January 2026, which states:

"1) How many emergency vehicles does the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service have in its fleet Island-wide? (Can this information also be broken down by station/area.)

2) How many vehicles carry a portable defibrillator device?

3) How many portable defibrillator devices do the Fire and Rescue Service own?

4) What is the Fire and Rescue Service's policy around defibrillator devices?

5) Is it standard practice to have one in vehicles?"

Our response to your request is as follows: Please find the following answers to the above questions below:

Q1: How many emergency vehicles does the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service have in its fleet Island-wide? (Can this information also be broken down by station/area.)

A: Total: 37 Douglas Station: 24 Laxey Station: 2 Ramsey Station: 3 Kirk Michael Station: 2 Peel Station: 2

Port Erin Station: 2 Castletown & Malew Station: 2

As additional advice and guidance we have provided details of all vehicles fitted with flashing blue lights and/or sirens which are used for emergency response and incident support vehicles. We do have other vehicles in our fleet, but these have not been counted as ‘emergency vehicles.

Q2: How many vehicles carry a portable defibrillator device?

A: 14

Q3: How many portable defibrillator devices do the Fire and Rescue Service own?

A: 15 (14 in our vehicles (see Q2) and one at our Live Fire Training Facility)

Q4: What is the Fire and Rescue Service's policy around defibrillator devices?

A: Manx Care provide training and guidance on defibrillator use to IOMFRS personnel; there is no specific policy relating to defibrillator devices.

Q5: Is it standard practice to have one in vehicles?

A: Not for all vehicles, but for all “first response” vehicles which includes all major appliances and both Duty Officer cars.

Please quote the reference number 5263337 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.