Sunshine has one of the highest rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the state.
St John Ambulance Victoria together with Brimbank Council and the local community are working together to turn that around.
The challenge is to transform Sunshine into a safer place by getting more people in the community trained in CPR and aware of the Defib In Your Street program.
St John Ambulance Victoria is providing free CPR training to residents of Sunshine and people with a strong connection to the area through family, work, study or leisure as part of Defib In Your Street.
Kent and Amelissa have both completed the FREE CPR course and host a Defib In Your Street for community to access during emergencies
Kent
Why did you learn CPR and how to operate a defibrillator?
I predominantly work with kids and adults who have special needs, knowing what signs to look for especially if they have any allergies or epilepsy, is crucial to my job. Their wellbeing means everything to me and they deserve to be in the care of someone who has their back in any situation.
What’s so special about the people of Brimbank that we should all know about Defib In Your Street?
We are such a multi-cultural community which is so inclusive to helping those around us. It’s great to walk down the street and see so many families with such rich heritage which is put on display throughout the year for others to enjoy as well. Having the opportunity to host a Defib could potentially mean saving the life of a neighbour or a loved one and that honestly is one of the best gifts we could give anyone.
Ami
Why did you learn CPR and how to operate a defibrillator?
To be honest, I was the first aid officer at work, so when I noticed there were many senior residents and young family within the area and the opportunity to have a defib installed, it just made sense to me. Every minute counts and the initiative to install one literally in your home means that there is a greater chance for a life to be saved.
What’s so special about the people of Brimbank that we should all know about Defib In Your Street?
The residents of Brimbank care about each other and the area in which they live. From the SANPAG community group, it is evident that the people of Brimbank like to get involved and take action to actively better the community. Defib in Your Street Program is just one investment in the area that puts people first, and it would be great to see more investments in the area to better enrich people’s lives.
Classes are run every Tuesday morning at the West Sunshine Community Centre and every Friday afternoon at Visy Cares hub in Sunshine, which is just next door to the Sunshine Library.
You can book your FREE course via the link: https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/first-aid-training/first-aid-courses/defib-in-your-street-first-aid-training/
Defib In Your Street is a program run in partnership between Brimbank City Council and St John Ambulance Victoria.
