Two new ambulances for Whitsunday region

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts and Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt today inspected new ambulances for crews at Whitsunday and Proserpine.

Mr Roberts said both Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) stations received new Ford F Series vehicles, complete with state-of-the-art medical equipment.

“These vehicles are valued at $196,000 each, and are a significant investment in pre-hospital health care in the area,” Mr Roberts said.

“The Queensland Government’s allocated almost $16 million this financial to buy 140 new vehicles, fourteen of which will be allocated to Central region.”

“The Bligh Government is committed to ensuring our staff and crews have the best resources available to keep Queenslanders safe.”

Ms Jarratt paid tribute to the efforts of crews at both stations, after Mr Roberts yesterday revealed paramedics in the Central region boasted the best response times in the state in the 2006-07 financial year.

“QAS crews in Central Queensland, including Whitsunday and Proserpine, last year faced a 22.88% increase in demand for Code 1 and 2 cases,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Despite that, they maintained a record of responding to 71.79% of those cases inside of the recognised10 minutes.

“This is above and beyond the accepted benchmark of 68%, so I congratulate the paramedics of this region.

“It’s reassuring to know we have a skilled and professional ambulance service, serving the needs of residents across the region.”

At Whitsunday, Mr Roberts and Ms Jarratt also presented a long service award for 10 years to Paramedic Stephen Jennings, and for 20 years to Officer in Charge Stephen Thurtell.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 07 3247 8194, 0418 197 350
Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976