With a focus on the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community, the initiative, which includes new AEDs, is in response to the growing need for accessible emergency medical equipment.
Over the next couple of months, in partnership with Heart of the Nation and with funding from Dooleys, Council will be holding AED training in its CALD communities and also starting workshops in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Turkish, Tamil, Nepali and Dari, to educate the community on when and how to use defibrillators.
Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake said creating awareness on AED locations and education on how to use them is vital to help save lives and with a significant portion of the community being non-English speaking, it is essential to provide multilingual education on how to use these life-saving devices effectively.
“We are committed to enhancing the safety and well-being of our community by equipping our residents with the knowledge and tools they need to save lives,” Mayor Lake said.
Heart of the Nation CEO and Founder Greg Page said that “partnering with Cumberland Council and Dooleys has been a fantastic example of how government and community can come together to help increase access to life-saving AEDs in key community areas.
“Their support helps us advance our vision of a safer, more informed community where everyone has the knowledge and tools to respond effectively to sudden cardiac arrest,” he said.
High-traffic and high-risk areas were specifically chosen for the installation of defibrillators, ensuring maximum accessibility for the community.
Thanks to funding from Dooleys Catholic Club Grants Program in 2024, the following four AEDs at Wyatt Park in Lidcombe, Granville Park, Civic Park in Pendle Hill and Guildford Laneway will be installed in the coming weeks.
AEDs have been installed at Auburn Botanic Gardens, Auburn Town Hall, Auburn Park, Merrylands Community Centre and Merrylands Civic Square and two provided to the Seniors and Disability Community Buses.
Dooleys Community Relations and Grants Coordinator, Jason White said that Dooleys is proud to partner a second time with Cumberland Council and Heart of the Nation to provide lifesaving AEDs to the local community.
“Gaining access to an AED within minutes significantly increases survival rates of cardiac arrest and we are proud to play a small part in ensuring the local community has access to such important lifesaving equipment”.
AED locations and info: https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/new-defibrillator-installations
Campaign to save lives
RESIDENTS will soon be equipped with the knowledge and tools “they need to save lives” with a new safety campaign to educate them on when and how to use AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators).