Seconds count in a cardiac arrest and for every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chance of survival is reduced by 10 per cent.
Saving lives is always a team effort and CFA has partnered with Ambulance Victoria to introduce an innovative new smartphone app, GoodSAM, to Victoria.
CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said GoodSAM alerted trained first-aiders to people nearby in cardiac arrest, so that CPR and defibrillation could be started while paramedics are on the way.
“CFA people with a first-aid qualification can apply to become a trusted GoodSAM responder,” Garry said.
“This is completely voluntary, and joining means that when you are available and able to help, you could be alerted to nearby cardiac arrests and be invited to assist.
Ambulance Victoria has been piloting GoodSAM with off-duty paramedics for several months and GoodSAM responders have already contributed to saving lives.
“CFA is really proud to be joining this commitment to improving cardiac arrest response and outcomes for patients in Victoria,” Garry said.
You can access more information about GoodSAM by visiting the GoodSAM project website.
More specific details are available on the CFA Intranet about:
GoodSAM FAQs
GoodSAM Code of Conduct
GoodSAM AV/CFA Poster
At the launch of GoodSAM: From left to right, CFA Chair Greg Smith, Firefighter Robert Spencer, Ambulance Victoria's tony Walker, Firefighter Ben Meiers, and Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook