Land of Iron has welcomed the arrival of a new on-site defibrillator, helping to further strengthen safety provision across the museum and wider site. 

The new defibrillator is now located in the museum’s reception area, giving staff, volunteers and visitors a central and accessible point of access in the event of an emergency. 

Land of Iron is based on the site of a former working ironstone mine and is still classified as an active mine, which is why we take safety extremely seriously. The museum already has robust safety procedures in place, including specialist equipment, regular checks, staff training and emergency planning. The addition of a defibrillator is another positive step in helping ensure the site is as safe and prepared as possible for everyone who visits, volunteers or works here. 

The need for an on-site defibrillator was highlighted following a safety review, which considered how quickly a unit could be reached in a real emergency. While there are defibrillators available locally, accessing one can take time once the full process is taken into account, including raising the alarm, contacting emergency services, obtaining access information, reaching the unit, and returning to the person who needs help. 

Having a defibrillator at Land of Iron means the equipment can now be reached quickly from across the building and wider site, including the museum spaces, reception area and drift. 

The project was made possible thanks to support from Ian Wilson, a long-standing Land of Iron volunteer and Chairman of Redcar Rotary Club, along with a £500 donation from Redcar Rotary Club. Peter Appleton, a Land of Iron volunteer, also stepped in to help with the remaining balance. 

Ian has volunteered with the museum for more than 30 years and has also served on the museum board. Speaking about the new defibrillator, he described it as a practical and worthwhile addition to the site, noting that it could make a vital difference in an emergency. 

The defibrillator was purchased from the British Heart Foundation. 

Angela List-Evans, Collections Manager at Land of Iron, said the new unit is an important addition to the museum’s safety arrangements: 

“Land of Iron takes safety very seriously, and this helps us make sure we are as prepared as we can be. Having the defibrillator here, in a central location, means it can be reached quickly if it is ever needed.” 

The defibrillator can be used for both adults and children, making it suitable for a wide range of emergency situations. 

Land of Iron would like to thank Ian Wilson, Redcar Rotary Club, Peter Appleton, and everyone who helped make the new defibrillator possible. 

The museum will continue to invest in safety, training and emergency preparedness to support visitors, volunteers, staff and the wider community.