Central Victorian brigades to receive new defibrillators thanks to community donations

The donations worth about $1.04 million were made through the Country Fire Authority and Brigades Donations Trust.

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The new 426 defibrillators will bring CFA's total to more than 1,700 across the state, ensuring every group vehicle has a defibrillator and every brigade has at least one vehicle with a defibrillator.

CFA Bendigo Brigade first lieutenant Ian Ellis welcomed the announcement said the additional defibrillators would further protect the community.

"There will be a heap of defibs given to the Bendigo brigades and also the groups across central Victoria which is great to see," he said.

"This is an extra advantage to the brigade and it will not only be good for us but it will be good for the community."

Mr Ellis said all volunteers were trained in first aid and said having a defibrillator available on the truck would ensure all volunteers were well prepared.

"It's so important that these have been donated, these are life saving machines," he said.

"These are well used and we are all volunteers and we are here for the community and when we get these donations back we can continue to help people in the community."

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said it was important for CFA members to be prepared if a cardiac emergency occurs.

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"I hope these defibrillators will never have to be used but having them available gives our members and the community the best chance of survival," he said.

"Defibrillators save lives - it's that simple. We have seen our members use them in some emergency situations recently and the early intervention has saved their lives.

"Donations from the community have made these additional defibrillators possible, and we are so grateful and humbled by their support."

The rollout of the 426 defibrillators is expected to be complete in early July.

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