Published Friday, 02 February, 2007 at 12:07 PM

Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Pat Purcell

New Samford ambulance station opens

Samford now has a dedicated home for Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics after the official opening today of the region’s new ambulance station.

The ambulance station, in Mount Glorious Road, Samford, was opened by Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell and Member for Ferny Grove Geoff Wilson.

Mr Wilson said the new station would be a great boost for the local community and for paramedics.

“The new $1.26 million station provides our hard-working paramedics with a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility.

“This new station is of a standard that meets the requirements of a 21st century ambulance service and provides the community with a modern ambulance facility to serve the growing local population.The station has been built to accommodate future increases in the number of staff and vehicles operating from it,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Purcell said the new station was an example of the Beattie Government’s commitment to ensuring emergency services personnel had the best facilities possible, and that residents had the services they needed in their local communities.

“Paramedics do an amazing job caring for the safety and wellbeing of Queenslanders. It’s no surprise that they are consistently voted as Australia’s most trusted profession.

“This financial year the Beattie Government allocated $40.3 million for capital works for the QAS, which includes funding for five new stations and the replacement/redevelopment of 18 other ambulance stations and one residence.

“The Beattie Government has more than doubled the funding for the QAS, with its budget rising by more than $200 million since the last year of the Coalition government in 1997-98,” Mr Purcell said.

Mr Wilson thanked the Samford First Responders group for their invaluable work in recent years.

“Since the group formed in 2003, Samford First Responders have attended almost 1500 cases, providing first aid and assistance to paramedics. I commend them for the dedication and skill they have shown in helping local residents in a time of need.”

Media contacts:
Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571;
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.