The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has donated four Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), a move aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of the police and the community at large. The handover ceremony was held in the Police Commissioner’s conference room and was witnessed by AFP, VPF, and ProMedical Vanuatu personnel.
The AEDs were purchased from ProMedical Vanuatu, a company that sells AEDs and offers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation training. AEDs are medical devices used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. They can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock or defibrillation to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
AFP Detective Superintendent Melissa Northam said that “the health and wellbeing of our Police Force and general community is a priority, we lost a lot of good people due to heart issues so it will make a huge difference for us to have these AED machines on site”.
Three of the AED machines will be based with the Port Vila Police department, while the remaining one will be handed over to Santo. ProMedical Vanuatu was invited to brief both police departments on the proper use of the machines to ensure the best possible outcome with the use of an AED machine. ProMedical’s Clinical Team Manager Ben Elliot discussed the importance of the availability of onsite AEDs and demonstrated the necessary skills required to resuscitate a person, followed by practicing usage of AEDs on mannequins.
“It is important for us as first responders to know exactly what to do in a situation that requires immediate support,” Mr. Elliot said. “The AEDs not only saves valuable treatment time but also improves the odds of survival before emergency medical service personnel arrive. These machines are beneficial for the whole community so it’s important we train people to use them accordingly. It is our honour to be able to assist the VPF through the assistance by AFP”.
Police Commissioner Colonel Robson Iavro emphasized the importance of having an AED machine stating that “with these machines, we are more equipped to support our officers and, in turn, leaving our officers more equipped to support the members of the public that we take care of on a daily basis before ProMedical arrives. Thank you AFP for this great addition to our operations.”