Blacktown City Council has become the first council in New South Wales to place a defibrillator in every sporting venue across the council area.
Under the plan, 101 defibrillators will be rolled out across the municipality.
The $252,000 project is underwritten by Blacktown City Council, with contributions rolling in from federal MP Michelle Rowland and sporting groups.
“Blacktown is the sporting city, and there will be an additional 101 defibrillators across the city, ready to be used to save someone’s life,” said Mayor of Blacktown City, Stephen Bali.
“Other councils and the state government have been talking about doing something like this, but Blacktown City Council is the first in NSW to step up to the mark.
“The aim is that we will be placing one particular type of defibrillator unit across the council, and all the club officials will be trained how to use them.
“The huge benefit of this is that at any sporting fixture throughout Blacktown City, there will be a large group of people able to grab the defibrillator off the wall and use it with confidence.
“A uniform procedure and the same operating procedure increases the chance of saving lives.”
Mayor Bali said he is gratified by the large number of project partners who have responded to Council’s call to support the project.
“We are hoping there will be more funds from other organisations and MPs.
“Blacktown City Council will fund the balance, to ensure the project is completed.”
Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland praised Blacktown City Council for the initiative.
“I was very pleased to be able to contribute $20,000 in funding through the Stronger Communities Program for this important and life-saving equipment to be installed at all of our local sporting grounds,” said Ms Rowland.
“I am delighted that through the combined efforts of the Federal Government, Blacktown Council and local sporting clubs, our city will be the first in NSW to have defibrillator units available at all local sporting grounds.”
The move was enthusiastically welcomed by Heart Foundation NSW.
“We congratulate Blacktown Council in its comprehensive approach to providing every sports facility in its local area with automated external defibrillators (AEDs),” said Heart Foundation NSW Cardiovascular Health Director, Julie-Anne Mitchell.
“Time is crucial in a sudden cardiac arrest situation, with every minute that passes reducing the rate of survival by 10 percent.
“So if an emergency occurs, Blacktown residents can now feel assured that easy access to a public defibrillator in their sporting venues will increase a person’s chance of survival.”
