Glen Innes Lions Club has made another significant contribution to community safety with the installation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at Glen Industries, helping ensure that those in need of urgent cardiac care are well supported.
An AED is a portable, user-friendly device that can be used to assist someone who is experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest. The machine is designed to be used by anyone, even those without medical training, making it an invaluable tool in emergencies. AEDs are typically easy to operate, with the device providing verbal instructions to guide the user through the process.
Lions Club President Earl Sharman explained the ongoing project, saying: “This is our current project – obtaining AED machines and arranging placement for the community at different sites. This is our third installation to date.”
The club’s efforts to improve local emergency preparedness began with the installation of the first AED in their Lions Club catering van, which is available for use by both volunteers and the general public during events. A second machine was installed at the Glen Innes Tennis Complex, and the third AED is now in place at Glen Industries, a local enterprise that employs people with disabilities.
Jo Williams, from Glen Industries, said the new AED will be an important addition to the workplace: “We employ people with a disability, and we have 30 people with disabilities here. We also have a few people who have been trained in first aid, and using one of these AEDs is part of that training.”
The AEDs, which cost close to $3,000 each, are a vital resource in saving lives during critical situations. Glen Innes Lions Club aims to continue expanding the number of AEDs in the community, installing them in locations where they can be easily accessed by the public. Future installations will depend on available funds, which the club hopes to raise through grants and donations.
For those interested in supporting the AED project or getting involved with the Glen Innes Lions Club, they can be contacted through their Facebook page.
