Two publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AED) have been installed in Cooma in efforts to improve community safety.

The AEDs are located in high-pedestrian areas in town, one at Centennial Park near the Cooma Visitors Centre and one on Mittagang Road next to the Monaro High School crossing.

The life-saving technology was launched last week with Cooma being the latest town to join the StreetBeat initiative.

StreetBeat is a community-led initiative increasing access to life-saving equipment across regional and metropolitan communities. The program ensures AEDs are available 24/7 and never locked, giving bystanders the confidence to act during a cardiac emergency.

Last week, GoodLoop Mutual, together with Community Bank Cooma - part of Bendigo Bank, officially unveiled the first StreetBeat AED at the Cooma Visitor Centre on Sharp Street, with the second already installed at Cooma North on Mittagang Road.

GoodLoop Mutual CEO, Ivan Slavich, said the Cooma rollout demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, businesses and organisations work together to improve community safety and ensure more people have access to life-saving equipment.

“Community Bank Cooma has a long and proud history of supporting this community. We’re incredibly proud to have supported the installation of two new 24/7 publicly accessible AEDs in Cooma through the StreetBeat initiative,” Mr Slavich said.

The two AEDs have been made possible through funding from the Snowy Hydro Community Grants Program, with additional support from Community Bank Cooma. Together, their investment has helped expand access to publicly accessible AEDs across the Snowy Monaro region, giving the community greater confidence to respond in a cardiac emergency.

Snowy Hydro’s social impact and community manager, Andrew Burke, said the organisation is pleased to support such an important initiative.

“The safety and wellbeing of the communities where we operate is at the heart of everything we do at Snowy Hydro. We’re proud to partner with Streetbeat through our Community Grants Program to help create a safer environment and greater peace of mind for everyone in Cooma,” Mr Burke said.

Rhiannon Shaw of Community Bank Cooma said the initiative is something the whole region can be proud of.

“As a local organisation, we see firsthand how important it is for our community to have access to life-saving equipment close by.

“Supporting StreetBeat means we’re helping give our neighbours the best possible chance in an emergency, and that matters deeply to us.”

The AED at the Cooma Visitor Information Centre has been installed in a highly visible and accessible location, while the Cooma North unit further strengthens coverage across the township.

Designed to be used by everyday people, StreetBeat AEDs provide clear voice instructions and will only deliver a shock if one is medically required.

The Cooma installations form part of StreetBeat’s growing network of publicly accessible AEDs across the ACT and NSW, with the initiative continuing to expand into regional communities.

GoodLoop Mutual co-ordinated the delivery and installation of both AEDs, including the construction of dedicated concrete pads to ensure the units remain secure, visible and accessible for years to come.

StreetBeat is a initiative of GoodLoop Mutual, delivered in partnership with St John Ambulance ACT and St John Ambulance NSW, and supported by communities committed to making neighbourhoods safer.