THE rollout of defibrillators to Country Fire Service vehicles across the state has been continuing steadily during the past 12 months.
South Australian CFS regional commander John Probert yesterday told The Border Watch defibrillators would further enhance the CFS’ service to the community.
“The devices would not only be beneficial to members of the public, but also for our volunteers who have to work in sometimes stressful situations,” he said.
“As a whole the project has been going well and it remains our long-term goal to reach all our brigades across the state.”
Mr Probert described the initiative as a “community project” which depended not only on CFS funding, but also on the generosity of the community.
He said various community organisations donated funds to the CFS for the purpose and individual brigades had been fundraising on their own.
“At around $2500 each, they do not come cheap, but defibrillators can save the lives of those experiencing a cardiac incident,” Mr Probert said.
Thus far priority has been given to command vehicles since they are more mobile than fire trucks and can respond quicker to emergency situations.
“However, other vehicles have been fitted and our goal remains to broadly kit-out the state fleet,” Mr Probert said.
Moorak CFS brigade captain Jon Lamond said his brigade has had a defibrillator for 18 months, but has thus far not untilised the device.
“Hopefully we will never experience a situation where we have to use our defibrillator, but we are grateful for having it at hand should an emergency arise,” Mr Lamond said.
“It is easy to use and gives us an added option in saving lives – whether from the community or our own staff.”
