OTR and St John Ambulance SA Join Forces to Save Lives this Easter
South Australia’s largest retailer and private employer OTR, in partnership with St John Ambulance SA, are investing $80,000 to install 32 public access defibrillators at regional OTR stores by the end of 2019, with an aim to saving lives in communities across regional South Australia.
Since May 2018, OTR have installed 17 of these lifesaving devices across regional towns including Nurioopta, Ceduna, Naracoorte, Berri, Port Augusta and Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. A further 15 defibrillators will be installed between May and December 2019.
With more than 145 stores across the state, OTR have a large footprint in metro and regional South Australia and as a 24-hour business are the ideal partner for St John to provide the public with access to these lifesaving machines, particularly in regional town centres and readily accessible main roads.
OTR CEO, Warren Wilmot said, “This Easter break, we are encouraging South Australians who are travelling the state on holiday to be aware that there are lifesaving defibrillators installed at many of the OTR sites in country towns.”
“Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time and when it happens time is of the essence. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation chances of survival decrease 10%,” Warren continued.
“The partnership is particularly important to us OTR Subway Area Manager, Kristy Smith, suffered a cardiac arrest in 2016 and received 16 electric shocks from a defibrillator which saved her life. Three years later, she is still working for Subway and doing amazing things in our team. We are grateful that the defibrillator was there for Kristy when she needed it and we want to ensure that OTR can provide support to others should the need ever arise,” Warren said.
Each year approximately 30,000 Australians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, with regional areas having less access to ambulance services than metro areas.
St John Ambulance SA CEO Michael Cornish states that he strongly believes high visibility public sites that are open 24 hours are ideal places for a defibrillator. “We are very happy to see OTR helping to look after the wellbeing of South Australians, particularly in regional communities”, Michael said.