On Thursday 25 September, a St John Ambulance Australia program aimed at saving lives on roads by
equipping Truck Drivers with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), was launched in Sydney at the
Erskine Park Distribution Centre of Primary Connect, the supply chain business that supports Woolworths
Group.

St John’s Defibs in Trucks Program, funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy
Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) will see AEDs installed in fifty trucks across the Ron Finemore Transport
fleet, principally operating from Sydney across the Blue Mountains to Central West NSW.

The initiative aims to achieve better emergency health outcomes for drivers, particularly in regional and
remote areas. The initiative will further empower drivers and road transport workers with practical
education in first aid and defibrillator use. An AED is a portable device that offers a potentially life-saving
shock to re-establish heart rhythm during a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. With access and training, almost
anyone can use one.

St John Ambulance Australia CEO, Brenden Maher acknowledges the importance of equipping vehicles
and drivers with AEDs and first aid skills.
“We know that heavy vehicle operators, as frequent road users, are often first on scene during collisions
and roadside emergencies. Mobilising AEDs on major routes and empowering drivers with the skills to use
them has the potential to save lives.”

Out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest impacts around 26,000 Australians per annum. Chances of
survival from sudden cardiac arrest are reduced by 7-10% for every minute that a person does not receive
defibrillation. Even with the shortest ambulance response times in Australia (9-15 minutes) bystander
intervention in the crucial first moments post collision or roadside emergency is crucial.

“Medical emergencies don’t wait for convenient locations. Having life-saving equipment and skills more
readily available on our roads will improve the chances that a person will receive the critical care they
need, while waiting for an ambulance,” said Mr Maher.

St John Ambulance Australia is working with funders such as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and
industry partners such as Ron Finemore Transport, to facilitate positive change.

NHVR Chair, Hon. Duncan Gay AM spoke at the launch highlighting that Defibs in Trucks is one of 16 HVSI
programs funded under a broader $4.4 million investment towards heavy vehicle safety initiatives.
“We are dedicated to keeping our trucking community and all Australians safe on our roads. This initiative
shows how government and regulators, and private and charitable sectors can come together to tackle
road safety challenges with practical solutions.”

Senator Tony Sheldon (NSW) officially launched the program, stating: “This program highlights that
continued collaboration between government, regulators, unions, and industry can set new benchmarks
for safety across Australia’s supply chain.”

Chris Brooks, Managing Director of Primary Connect and Chief Supply Chain Officer for Woolworths
Group, added: “I commend Ron Finemore Transport, St John Ambulance, and the NHVR for leading safety
change. At Primary Connect, safety is our number one priority, and we recognise the importance of these
partnerships to improve safety for everyone in the supply chain.”

A 2024 survey commissioned by St John found that three in four (75%) Australians believe it is important to
have access to AEDs in vehicles. Yet access to defibrillators in vehicles remains highly limited. This is
particularly concerning in locations that may have barriers and delays to emergency care.

The Defibs in Trucks initiative was conceived as an extension of a suite of Driver First Aid programs offered
nationally by St John, including Learner Driver First Aid and Truckie First Aid – free training initiatives that
have to-date equipped 12,000 additional road users with confidence, knowledge and skills in basic first
aid interventions.

Truck Drivers themselves are approaching the program with enthusiasm highlights Ron Finemore
Transport founder Ron Finemore AO.
“We are proud to partner with St John Ambulance, the NHVR’s HVSI program, supported by the Australian
Government and our client partners including Primary Connect to roll out this program. Over 50 drivers
have been successfully trained in the use of the AEDs so far and we hope to roll it out to the rest of the Ron
Finemore Transport fleet in the near future prioritising the regional areas that need it most.”
Ron Finemore is a long term advocate for safety in the industry, “Defibs save lives and every life is worth
saving.”

Launch event details

The launch event for Defibs in Trucks was held on Thursday 25 September at the Primary Connect
Distribution Centre in Erskine Park NSW.
The event was attended by NSW Senator Tony Sheldon, staff and senior representatives from Ron
Finemore Transport, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, St Vincent Hospital and Woolworths Group,
and staff and volunteers of St John Ambulance Australia and St John NSW