Wyndham City is proud to announce the installation of two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at Wyndham Harbour and Werribee South Caravan Park.
Wyndham City Mayor, Councillor Jennie Barrera, said the installation of the lifesaving devices followed a tragic incident last year when a Werribee South resident lost their life after suffering a cardiac arrest on the Werribee South foreshore.
“This devastating loss highlighted the urgent need for accessible emergency medical equipment, and it’s been great to see the community rally together to raise approximately $6,000 through donations, which funded the purchase of these vital devices,” Cr Barrera said.
“We are so grateful that the installation of the two AEDs was made possible through the combined efforts of the deceased resident's estate, Ambulance Victoria Paramedic Haley Maher, the Coast Guard and the Ambulance Victoria AED Gifting Program.”
"By installing these AEDs, we are not only honouring the memory of a community member we lost but also taking concrete steps to prevent such losses in the future. This is a testament to what we can achieve together as a community."
“The new AEDs are now available for public use, ensuring that Wyndham Harbour and Werribee South Caravan Park are equipped to handle medical emergencies more effectively.”
“This is in addition to 20 AEDs installed across Council facilities earlier this year.” Jason Connell, from Ambulance Victoria, said this important safety initiative aims to bolster community health and response capabilities.
“An AED is a life-saving tool that can significantly improve the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims by administering a controlled electric shock to restore the heart's normal rhythm,” he said.
“The availability of AEDs at these locations represents a critical step towards improving response times and medical outcomes in emergencies.”