The donations to the CFA & Brigades Donations Fund and the CFA Public Fund, will see $2.543 million allocated to purchase over 1,130 defibrillators to ensure that by mid-2022 every CFA brigade and group vehicle will have a dedicated defibrillator onboard.

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CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said it was important for members to be prepared for any emergency and having access to important life-saving devices will improve the safety of both firefighters and community members at incidents.

St Arnaud volunteer firefighter and deputy group officer Craig Cheesman understands the difference the important life-saving equipment can make.

Three years ago, his heart stopped during a group training exercise in Gre Gre between Horsham and Bendigo.

Thankfully, every brigade in CFA's District 16 had been equipped with a defibrillator through a state government enhancing volunteerism grant, which allowed his fellow members to jump into action and restart his heart.

"I wouldn't be here today if there hadn't been a defibrillator there, so to think that every CFA brigade and group vehicle will soon have one is just amazing," he said.

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The quick action has allowed Mr Cheesman to make a full recovery and he remains an operational firefighter and deputy group officer.

"Because they did such a good job, that's what got us through. I was lucky, really," he said.

Back in June, central Victorian brigades received more than 150 new defibrillators thanks to community donations from the 2019/20 bushfires.

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

CFA Bendigo Brigade first lieutenant Ian Ellis 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.

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"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 Heffernan said it was incredibly important for members to be well prepared and equipped if a cardiac emergency occurs.

"Having this important life-saving equipment available on every CFA vehicle will improve the safety of both firefighters and community members at incidents and during training exercises," he said.

"Our members are volunteers who give up their time to help keep their communities safe and I'm so pleased that with the support of the community's generous donations, CFA is able to do its part in keeping them as safe as possible."

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