Life saving equipment to be mobilised on Australian roads
St John Ambulance Australia is driving a lifesaving initiative, putting defibrillators in trucks to protect drivers and communities on regional roads.
On Thursday 25 September, a St John Ambulance Australia program aimed at saving lives on roads by equipping Truck Drivers with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), was launched in Sydney at the Erskine Park Distribution Centre of Primary Connect, the supply chain business that supports Woolworths Group.
St John’s Defibs in Trucks Program, funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy
Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) will see AEDs installed in fifty trucks across the Ron Finemore Transport fleet, principally operating from Sydney across the Blue Mountains to Central West NSW.
The initiative aims to achieve better emergency health outcomes for drivers, particularly in regional and remote areas. The initiative will further empower drivers and road transport workers with practical education in first aid and defibrillator use. An AED is a portable device that offers a potentially life-saving shock to re-establish heart rhythm during a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. With access and training, almost anyone can use one.
St John Ambulance Australia CEO, Brenden Maher acknowledges the importance of equipping vehicles and drivers with AEDs and first aid skills.
“We know that heavy vehicle operators, as frequent road users, are often first on scene during collisions and roadside emergencies. Mobilising AEDs on major routes and empowering drivers with the skills to use them has the potential to save lives.”
Out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest impacts around 26,000 Australians per annum. Chances of survival from sudden cardiac arrest are reduced by 7-10% for every minute that a person does not receive defibrillation. Even with the shortest ambulance response times in Australia (9-15 minutes) bystander intervention in the crucial first moments post collision or roadside emergency is crucial.
“Medical emergencies don’t wait for convenient locations. Having life-saving equipment and skills more readily available on our roads will improve the chances that a person will receive the critical care they need, while waiting for an ambulance,” said Mr Maher.
St John Ambulance Australia is working with funders such as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and industry partners such as Ron Finemore Transport, to facilitate positive change.
NHVR Chair, Hon. Duncan Gay AM spoke at the launch highlighting that Defibs in Trucks is one of 16 HVSI programs funded under a broader $4.4 million investment towards heavy vehicle safety initiatives.
“We are dedicated to keeping our trucking community and all Australians safe on our roads. This initiative shows how government and regulators, and private and charitable sectors can come together to tackle road safety challenges with practical solutions.”
Senator Tony Sheldon (NSW) officially launched the program, stating: “This program highlights that continued collaboration between government, regulators, unions, and industry can set new benchmarks for safety across Australia’s supply chain.”
Chris Brooks, Managing Director of Primary Connect and Chief Supply Chain Officer for Woolworths Group, added: “I commend Ron Finemore Transport, St John Ambulance, and the NHVR for leading safety change. At Primary Connect, safety is our number one priority, and we recognise the importance of these partnerships to improve safety for everyone in the supply chain.”
A 2024 survey commissioned by St John found that three in four (75%) Australians believe it is important to have access to AEDs in vehicles. Yet access to defibrillators in vehicles remains highly limited. This is particularly concerning in locations that may have barriers and delays to emergency care.
The Defibs in Trucks initiative was conceived as an extension of a suite of Driver First Aid programs offered nationally by St John, including Learner Driver First Aid and Truckie First Aid – free training initiatives that have to-date equipped 12,000 additional road users with confidence, knowledge and skills in basic first aid interventions.
Truck Drivers themselves are approaching the program with enthusiasm highlights Ron Finemore Transport founder Ron Finemore AO.
“We are proud to partner with St John Ambulance, the NHVR’s HVSI program, supported by the Australian Government and our client partners including Primary Connect to roll out this program. Over 50 drivershave been successfully trained in the use of the AEDs so far and we hope to roll it out to the rest of the Ron Finemore Transport fleet in the near future prioritising the regional areas that need it most.”
Ron Finemore is a long term advocate for safety in the industry, “Defibs save lives and every life is worth saving.”
An AED is the difference between life and death
Sudden cardiac arrest is almost always fatal without help. Only 7% of people survive to hospital discharge.
With immediate CPR and an AED used within 3 minutes, survival can soar to 70%. To respond that quickly, your AED needs to be nearby and ready for use.
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When you choose St John as your AED Provider, you gain more than equipment.
You can be confident working with Australia’s most trusted first aid charity, and an organisation that reinvests profits into strengthening communities.
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