A Lifesaving Trial: Defibrillators Installed in Local Parks
Published 06 June 2024
City of Moreton Bay residents now have access to industry-leading health devices thanks to a successful free pilot partnership with Urban Play and Stryker.
Council’s innovative step toward enhanced community safety now includes the installation of nine Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) at strategically selected parks and outdoor areas across Moreton Bay.
AEDs are currently located at:
- Woodford Visitor Information Centre
- Wallace Street Park, Caboolture
- Brennan Park, Bongaree
- Clayton Park, Beachmere
- Redcliffe Jetty precinct
- Petrie Mill Playground
- Pine Rivers Park, Strathpine
- Leslie Patrick Park, Arana Hills
- John Scott Park, Samford.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the 12-week pilot program made defibrillators readily accessible in public spaces to potentially save lives during sudden cardiac emergencies.
“Roughly 90 Australians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest every day and 95% of those people die before reaching a hospital,” he said.
“Having access to a defibrillator increases the survival chances of an individual by 70%, so it makes perfect sense for us to have trialled these devices in our public spaces.
“By installing defibrillators in parks, City of Moreton Bay is empowering the community to take an active role in public safety.
“Thanks to a partnership with Urban Play and Stryker we trialled defibrillators in nine locations across City of Moreton Bay at no cost to ratepayers, and I am pleased to say they will continue to be accessible at these sites.
“Each defibrillator has been strategically installed at a location with consideration to the surrounding demographics’ age, health considerations and distance to a hospital.
“These defibrillators are easy and safe to use with minimal training and can assist adults and children with no legal risk to the user.
“They provide clear instructions, both visual and voice prompts, to guide users through the resuscitation process, until professional help arrives.”
Following the success of the AED pilot program, City of Moreton Bay will now consider potential defibrillator installation at new major park upgrades or existing district and regional parks with high levels of visitation.
Urban Play’s mission is to create spaces to live stronger, healthier, and more playful lives. Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, and together their partnership is leading the way to safer public spaces.