NEW NERANG AMBULANCE STATION OPENS

The opening of the Nerang ambulance station demonstrates that the Beattie Government is committed to ensuring Gold Coast residents have the highest quality ambulance service in their local community.

The ambulance station on Cayuga Street, Nerang, was opened today by State Member for Gaven, Phil Gray.

Minister for Emergency Service, Pat Purcell said the Beattie Government had delivered on its election commitment to boost ambulance services in the Gaven electorate with the opening of the new station.

“Nerang now has a dedicated home for Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics to service Nerang and surrounding suburbs.

“The new station is strategically placed within a network of eight stations including Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta, CoralGardens, Helensvale, Mudgeeraba, Runaway Bay and Southport.

“Ambulance vehicles from these locations are continuously coordinated to provide the most optimal coverage for the entire Gold Coast area at any given time”, Mr Purcell said.

Mr Gray who opened the station said the new Nerang ambulance station would be a great boost for the local community and for local paramedics.

“The new $1.1 million ambulance station reflects the Beattie Government’s commitment to ensuring ambulance facilities are available for local residents when they need them most.

“The Nerang ambulance station is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility with modern features including a plant room that houses the station’s fleet and provides each ambulance vehicle with its own entry and exit point, thus increasing the capacity to respond to emergency incidents.

“The station has back-up generator power to ensure its operation is not affected by blackouts or other power failures, and secure off-street parking is provided for staff and visitors.

“The station has been built to accommodate future increases in the number of staff and vehicles operating from it,” Mr Gray said.

Mr Purcell said the Beattie Government is committed to providing the State’s emergency services personnel with the best facilities and life-saving equipment.

“However, they would be of little use without the wonderful people who actually use them.

“Paramedics do an amazing job caring for the safety and wellbeing of Queenslanders, and they deserve recognition for the great work they do every day”, Mr Purcell said.

At the ceremony 18 Queensland Ambulance Service staff received awards and medals for long and dedicated service, as well as diplomas of paramedic science recognising their training.

LIST OF RECIPIENTS

National Medal

Jason Danbury Logan West Station

Jodie King Beaudesert Station

Katherine Sichter Helensvale Station

First Clasp to National Medal

Jim Bailey Patient Transport Services

10 Year QAS Service Awards

Peter Boyd SECOMM

Michael Fletcher Burleigh Heads Station

Anthony Folliott Mudgeeraba Station

David Sugars SECOMM

20 Year QAS Service Awards

Cary Strong Special Operations

30 Year QAS Service Awards

Rodney Haase SECOMM

John Ings Patient Transport Services

Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance)

Ian Angel Southport Station

Tracey Brewer Helensvale Station

Amanda Carroll Southport Station

Linda Morris Helensvale Station

Jason Thompson CoralGardens Station

Andrew Thomson Ipswich Station

Geordie TonkinRunawayBay Station

Media contact: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571.