Founded by Dubbo Paramedic Sophie Wills, the Community Defib Project has successfully installed 50 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) into communities across NSW.
The Community Defib Project is a collaboration between Western Sydney University, the Defib shop and community members. With no ongoing Government funding or support, it relies on donations, sponsorship and profit from merchandise sales.
“The 50 mark is a great milestone for our team to achieve,” Sophie said.
“We initially installed 20 AEDs in the Wisemans Ferry area and from there we had a great deal of interest from
surrounding communities.
“The project team itself has been quite big for a long time, in terms of managing a huge number of volunteers and funding, but to actually be able to mark that in installations is a really cool achievement.”
Sophie chairs a Board of Directors, made up of medical experts and passionate community volunteers to drive the fundraising for each AED unit.
“I’ve been privileged to have the support from both NSW Ambulance Executives but also colleagues who have joined the Community Defib Project as directors and senior volunteers in support of our mission,” she said.
Sophie said the idea for more community defibrillators came to her after a family friend had a cardiac arrest in rural Wisemans Ferry and help was 50 kilometres and a river crossing away from where they were. With time being critical during a sudden cardiac arrest, the project’s aim is to have every person within 10 minutes of defibrillation.
“I was in my second year of studies when we started discussing improving access to defibs in rural communities,” Sophie said.
“We know that the frontline treatment for a paramedic during a sudden cardiac arrest is a defib and CPR. This is something we could provide these communities.”
Now the momentum is picking up for the program, Sophie is hoping to be in touch with all communities across the state and help them fundraise and install AEDs wherever they’re needed.
“We have a big challenge ahead to find funding to complete the project across NSW,” she said.
“Ultimately, providing a community with the tools to save a life during a sudden cardiac arrest is what is most important.
“Our goal is to reach 100 installations by early 2022.”
The project provides each community the tools to fundraise, plan and install AEDs that are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Communities involved in the project include:
- Wisemans Ferry*
- Maroota*
- Catherine Hill Bay*
- Spencer*
- St Albans*
- Glenorie*
- Glenhaven*
- Upper Colo Valley*
- Oakville - Maraylya - Pitt Town*
- Copacabana*
- Blaxlands Ridge*
- Bilpin
- Cumberland Reach*
- Sackville-Ebenezer*
- Kurrajong*
- East Kurrajong
- Mountain Lagoon
- Arcadia
*AEDs are active in these communities.
NSW Ambulance paramedics involved in the project include:
- Sophie Wills, P1 Dubbo – Founder & Chair
- Carpet Hughes, ICP – Director
- Hannah Wiedeman, P1 TBC – Director
- Dr Paul Simpson, ICP – Director
- Michael Conley, P1 Haberfield – Operations Team
- Bruce Shiach-Wise, CCP Newcastle Helicopter Base – Catherine Hill Bay Committee
- Michelle Shiach-Wise, P1 Toukely – Catherine Hill Bay Committee
- Brodie Shiach-Wise, P1 Randwick – Catherine Hill Bay Committee
- Zac Young, P1 - Glenhaven Committee
To find out more about the project or to get involved email info@communitydefibproject.org.au or sophie@communitydefibproject.org.au.