There has always been a bit of camaraderie between emergency services in regional towns across the State.
However, one group in Waroona has gone the extra mile to help out fellow local personnel.
Waroona’s St John sub centre recently donated three defibrillators to Waroona police, with the potentially life-saving devices being spread out to maximise their potential use.
Two will be kept in police vehicles and the third will be kept outside the Waroona police station.
Waroona police officer-in-charge Sgt Keith Tarver said the station was delighted by the donation.
“Not only will having a fixed defibrillator on the exterior of the police station make it available to anyone within the community, it will also mean police should be in a position to assist anyone needing this critical resource,” he said.
The donation came about due to the close working relationship between Waroona’s emergency services organisations, which are often called to the same incidents.
Until now, Waroona police have not carried the devices on their patrols.
St John sub centre chairperson Jenny McNamara said the donation was part of a broader effort to increase the number of devices in the town.
“We know there is a need for them and we are trying to put them in various locations around our small community,” she said.
The sub centre has donated nine other units in the past 12 months, including to the Drakesbrook Hotel, Waroona Visitors Centre and Waroona Pharmacy.
There are at least 18 devices around Waroona.
“I think it gives people peace of mind that we have so many around,” Ms McNamara said.
The devices can be accessed in an emergency by calling 000, with three being used in the past six months.
Sgt Tarver said the vehicle-fitted units would be used as needed if police were the first to arrive at an incident such as a medical incident or traffic crash.
“The fact we have them in our vehicles and that we are trained to use them may make all the difference, rather than having to wait for additional support,” he said.
“Every minute is crucial in certain circumstances. The donation of these defibrillators makes the community that bit safer.”