By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
AFTER installing defibrillators across the South East Juniors Football League, McDonald’s restaurants throughout Casey now have the life-saving devices as well.
Casey McDonald’s restaurants are a part of a unique ‘Casey Clan’ which the McDonald’s company is trying to advance around the globe, Casey Clan licensee David Fowler said.
“We are a group of owner operators that get together to help achieve the same goals in the community,” Mr Fowler said.
“Putting defibrillators in all 24 restaurants in the Casey clan wasn’t something we had to do, it was something we could do and it was an opportunity to take a lead and hopefully other businesses will follow,” Mr Fowler said.
The Casey Clan teamed up with Defib For Life two years ago to put defibrillators in 26 junior football clubs amounting to more than $62,000.
“It’s not just for the players but for their parents, grandparents, anyone gathering at the ground- we are the sponsors of the South East Juniors and it seemed the responsible decision for the second largest junior football league in Victoria,” Mr Fowler said.
Once opened, the defibrillators automatically start talking and relaying each step to the person assisting the emergency.
“The great thing with the defibrillators is that they are very easy to use, any member of the public can use them without training, and it doesn’t take you to the next step until you’ve finished the current one,” he said.
The defibrillators won’t shock a person if their heart is still beating, and Mr Fowler said they were a soothing device in a very stressful situation.
Mr Fowler said an incident with an 11-year-old boy who luckily survived at a South East Juniors Football game was the turning point for him and the Casey Clan.
“We decided we need to do something, they are such an important piece of equipment just like a first aid kit, which some venues may not have had many years ago- moving forward it’s important to ensure the safety of all members of our society,” he said.
