A life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is set to be installed in the heart of Griffith’s CBD, Griffith City Council has announced.
At its June meeting, Council endorsed the installation of an AED on the exterior wall of the Kooyoo Street Kiosk, making it available 24/7 for emergency use.
The Council says the high-visibility location was chosen due to its strong lighting, CCTV coverage and accessibility during major community events such as Punjabi Mela and the Banna Lane Festival.
The AED will be housed in a weatherproof, alarmed cabinet operating on a public honesty system to ensure immediate access in emergencies. Council staff will undertake regular checks to ensure the device remains operational.
“In a critical situation, every second counts. Having a defibrillator accessible 24/7 in our CBD could be the difference between life and death. It’s a simple step that could save lives,” said Griffith Mayor, Doug Curran.
Funding of $3,000 for the purchase and installation will come from the 2024/25 Community Grants allocation, with an additional $700 allocated for a free public training workshop on AED use, to be delivered by St John Ambulance.
The location will also be registered on the Heart of the Nation app, supporting Council’s ongoing commitment to community safety. Council would like to thank Soroptimist Griffith for championing this public outdoor AED that could help save lives.
Council currently maintains a number of AEDs across various Council facilities including Council’s administration building, the Airport, Tharbogang Landfill, the Library, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Pioneer Park, Tourism Hub, Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre and Griffith Regional Sports Centre. There are also a number of AEDs located at Griffith businesses.
For convenience, the Heart of the Nation app maintains a mapped location of registered AEDs should they be required in an emergency. Find out more: www.heartofthenation.com.au.
