HALLS Gap has upgraded it’s medical emergency capabilities after it received its first stretcher ambulance this week.
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Ambulance volunteers who were previously classified as Community Emergency Response Team members will now be Ambulance Community Officers, which is a requirement to operate the ambulance.
Ambulance Community Officers have the same medical training as the Community Emergency Response Team members but are also trained to drive a stretcher ambulance and operate it’s equipment.
Previously Community Emergency Response Team members had to wait for an ambulance to arrive from Stawell or Ararat and were restricted to providing on-scene medical support out of an equipped station wagon.
Now they will be able to transport patients themselves directly to hospital.
This will ease pressure on paramedic crews from nearby towns, Ambulance Victoria Wimmera Regional Manager Tim Maywald said.
“It gives us the extra capacity with the ambulance, which can save time if the patient is not too sick they can potentially be transported to hospital which saves the other emergency services in Stawell. It can also get us more timely life support for patients,” he said.
The quicker response time means the service will be better able to assist crews involved in rescues in the Grampians as well, Mr Maywald said.
“For someone at home, we may send one ambulance and two paramedics. For here, it’s multiple paramedics, the SES and police,” he said.
This means that emergencies are more complex and labour intensive, and having a stretcher ambulance on site will ease the burden on other emergency services both by reducing response times and reducing reliance on ambulances from other towns.
Halls Gap team leader Kerry Linke agreed.
“It will be great to actually help paramedics in Stawell out by transporting patients,” she said.
Crew will be unable to operate the lights and sirens on the ambulance for the first year due to training requirements, unless they receive special permission from paramedics.
Three volunteers were also recognised on Wednesday for their service.
John Pearson, Jennifer Pearson and Liz Bacon were presented with awards for long service, dedication, and safe driving.
Mr and Mrs Pearson received awards for their long-term dedication, and Ms Bacon received an award for 10 years long service and for safe driving.
“We enjoy being volunteers and giving to the community in that way,” Ms Bacon said.
All three will be retiring as volunteers and new Ambulance Community Officers will be joining the Halls Gap contingent.
Mr Maywald said that recruitment is ongoing with spaces still available for those interested.