Community

Defibrillators in GEKA services

Tania Peroni, Facilities & Compliance Manager

 

GEKA has further invested in the safety of its staff, families and the wider community by installing defibrillators in five of its ten services.   The defibs have been funded by GEKA and the aim is to have them installed in all services by the end of 2021 (though preferably earlier).  The five initial kindergartens to receive the defibrillators were chosen based on the lack of defibrillators in close proximity to their current location.  Those GEKA kindergartens  yet to have a defibrillator installed have one available for use nearby (eg. GEKA Bentleigh East have access to the defibs at GESAC).

 

The GEKA Leadership Team have recently undertaken defibrillator training by GEKA’s first aid training partner.  The training demonstrated how to use the defibrillators in the event of an emergency and all kindergarten staff were subsequently updated on how to use the defibrillator accordingly. 

Each year, GEKA staff attend compulsory CPR refresher training at GEKA Head Office as part of their First Aid professional development requirements.  In this training, the use of the defibrillator is again shown and staff are taught how to apply and use the device in an emergency situation. The defibrillators are made to give step by step instructions when in use and pads are placed on the patient in a “seatbelt” position. 

Signage is displayed at the entrance of each kindergarten currently housing a defibrillator to make aware to the wider community, medical personnel and emergency services.  The defibrillators have also been registered with Ambulance Victoria for easy identification of their locations.

 

Having a defibrillator to use in an emergency ensures the person’s best chance of survival.