The Werribee City Football Club and the Werribee Masters Football Club will be better prepared to manage a medical emergency on and off the field after receiving a defibrillator and training package from the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas today announced that both clubs were two of 300 successful applicants across the state to receive the package from the latest round of the government’s Defibrillators for Sporting Clubs and Facilities Program.

The program has proven extremely popular across the state, with the original target of 1000 packages over-subscribed.

In response the Andrews Government has extend the program and will now deliver more than 1300 packages.

In a life threatening sudden cardiac arrest every second counts, and bystanders play a vital role because the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest decreases by 10 per cent every minute that passes without defibrillation.

The Defibrillators for Sporting Clubs and Facilities Program ensures clubs and sports venues are on top of their game when it comes to helping players and spectators when they need it most.

Clubs get to boost their first aid skills, improve planning for medical emergencies and ensure players and spectators suffering sudden cardiac arrest quickly get help until paramedics arrive.

Training on how to use the devices is provided by program partner St John Ambulance and as many as 20,000 Victorians will receive training in the use of a defibrillator and basic CPR.

The new devices also appear on Ambulance Victoria’s database, so that triple zero operators can direct callers to the nearest devices available when emergency strikes.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We here in the Werribee electorate are proud of our local sports clubs like the Werribee City Football Club and the Werribee Masters Football and their efforts to make their sports more safe and enjoyable for all.

“This program funded by the Andrews Government helps local clubs implement a sports medical plan, so they are prepared to act fast in an emergency.”