News

Emergency services volunteers across the State will be better equipped to respond to medical emergencies in the course of their duties, welcoming 31 new defibrillators for trucks and units from Ballina to Broken Hill.

Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott said the $77,500 investment is proof of the Government’s continued commitment to protecting lives.

“These 31 additional defibrillators will go into the hands of our skilled SES, Marine Rescue and VRA volunteers, who all play a vital role in keeping communities safe,” Mr Elliott said.

“We continually see how hard our indefatigable emergency service workers fight to keep us safe when disaster strikes and with a record $1.7 billion budget, they will get every resource they need.”

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns welcomed the NSW Government’s additional funding for the provision of defibrillators for the SES.

“The funding will assist NSW SES with the roll-out of defibrillators to our rescue vehicles and to our units,” Mr Kearns said.

“A number of our regional units will benefit from this funding, including areas such as Broken Hill, Port Stephens, Wellington and Goolgowi.”

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos thanked the NSW Government for the defibrillators, to be installed at MRNSW units at Evans Head, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Cottage Point, Sussex Inlet, Bermagui and Merimbula.

“These new devices will now be installed in our bases, most of which are in high-profile coastal locations, to help our volunteers save lives both on and off the water.”

NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Commissioner Mark Gibson said the investment means squads can spend less time on the street raising funds to purchase equipment like the defibrillators and more time in training their members.

"On behalf of the VRA squads at Taree, Barraba, Coonabarabran, Cessnock & Narrandera I would like to thank Minister Elliott for the donation of the defibrillators.”