Axe Creek Fire Brigade Captain Neil Irving-Dusting and Apparatus Officer Tom Houlahan
The last of more than 1,195 defibrillators have been delivered to CFA districts as part of the rollout of life-saving equipment to every fire truck and operational vehicle.
The devices were purchased using more than $2.5 million of community donations to the CFA Brigades Donations Fund and the CFA Public Fund.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the installation of defibrillators to every CFA Brigade and Group vehicle will help better protect volunteer firefighters and Victorian communities.
“Some of the first devices that were placed on CFA fire trucks have already been used to save lives of CFA members,” said CO Heffernan.
“Defibrillators were also used by our volunteers to help save a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter during the 2019/20 fire season.
“Having this equipment on every CFA fire truck means our members will be able to stay safe and help other members of the community.”
CFA & Brigades Donations Fund Chair Graeme Jilbert said it’s crucial that donated funds have a direct benefit to CFA volunteers and brigades, and the communities they serve.
“We cannot thank our donors enough for their generous contributions to CFA,” he said.
“Those who donate can be assured that Initiatives such as this defibrillator rollout will certainly help improve member safety.”
The last defibrillators from this rollout were dispatched from the CFA State Logistics Centre in Scoresby last month, with the final brigades expected to have them installed on their vehicles shortly.