Published Thursday, 02 August, 2007 at 05:37 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
NEW RADIOS TO INCREASE PATIENT SERVICE AND PARAMEDIC SAFETY
Premier Peter Beattie said today that new portable radios provided to the Queensland Ambulance Service will improve service for patients and safety for paramedics.
Mr Beattie and Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts visited the Redbank Ambulance Station for a demonstration of the new Motorola GP-339 radios. The station already has received seven new radios and will receive a total of eight.
Across Queensland, a total of 636 Motorola GP-339 radios are being rolled-out to ambulance stations that have radio network coverage, at a cost of $726,534. By the end of the month, new radios will be available for every on-road ambulance officer.
“The advantage of these new portable radios is that they provide paramedics with a constant link to communications centres,” Mr Beattie said.
“Until now, paramedics have used either radios that are fitted into ambulance vehicles or older and heavier portable radios that are shared by the crew. The new radios are lightweight and come with a pouch that can be attached to a paramedic’s belt. The radios are connected to a microphone and remote speaker that clips onto the epaulettes of a paramedic’s uniform.
“This means a paramedic doesn’t have to remove a radio from the pouch, but can make and receive calls from communication centres while they are away from their ambulance and while they are treating patients.
“They will be able to provide timely, critical information from the scene to communications centres,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Roberts said the Motorola GP-339 radios also would improve patient and paramedic safety.
“These new radios will help ensure our paramedics continue to provide world-class pre-hospital care to Queenslanders,” the Minister said.
“Paramedics work in unpredictable and sometimes dangerous situations and we want to do all we can to ensure their safety,” he said.
“Carrying a portable radio means paramedics who find themselves in an unsafe environment will have immediate contact with communications centres.”
The new radios were purchased as part of the Zero Harm Strategy employed by the Department of Emergency Services.
Thursday August 2, 2007
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500 or Minister’s Office
(Lorann Downer) 0488 074 302
Mr Beattie and Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts visited the Redbank Ambulance Station for a demonstration of the new Motorola GP-339 radios. The station already has received seven new radios and will receive a total of eight.
Across Queensland, a total of 636 Motorola GP-339 radios are being rolled-out to ambulance stations that have radio network coverage, at a cost of $726,534. By the end of the month, new radios will be available for every on-road ambulance officer.
“The advantage of these new portable radios is that they provide paramedics with a constant link to communications centres,” Mr Beattie said.
“Until now, paramedics have used either radios that are fitted into ambulance vehicles or older and heavier portable radios that are shared by the crew. The new radios are lightweight and come with a pouch that can be attached to a paramedic’s belt. The radios are connected to a microphone and remote speaker that clips onto the epaulettes of a paramedic’s uniform.
“This means a paramedic doesn’t have to remove a radio from the pouch, but can make and receive calls from communication centres while they are away from their ambulance and while they are treating patients.
“They will be able to provide timely, critical information from the scene to communications centres,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Roberts said the Motorola GP-339 radios also would improve patient and paramedic safety.
“These new radios will help ensure our paramedics continue to provide world-class pre-hospital care to Queenslanders,” the Minister said.
“Paramedics work in unpredictable and sometimes dangerous situations and we want to do all we can to ensure their safety,” he said.
“Carrying a portable radio means paramedics who find themselves in an unsafe environment will have immediate contact with communications centres.”
The new radios were purchased as part of the Zero Harm Strategy employed by the Department of Emergency Services.
Thursday August 2, 2007
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500 or Minister’s Office
(Lorann Downer) 0488 074 302