28 new ambulance vehicles for North Coast region

Twenty-eight new Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) vehicles will be commissioned in the service’s North Coast region this financial year.

Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts said the new ambulance vehicles were part of a $16.9 million in 2008-09 to commission 145 new vehicles across the State.

“The 28 new vehicles for the North Coast region will allow the QAS to replace 24 existing vehicles and commission another four new vehicles,” Mr Roberts said.

The North Coast region includes stations in Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Burnett region.

QAS allocates new vehicles within regions based on the age, usage and mechanical condition of the vehicles to be replaced, in accordance with a comprehensive vehicle maintenance program.

Mr Roberts said the new ambulances are fitted with state of the art equipment and features.

“These new vehicles will carry Stryker stretchers and stair chairs which can support patients weighing up to 228kg.

“These pieces of equipment make ambulance transport safer and more comfortable for both patient and paramedic.

“The livery on the new vehicles is a highly visible design to improve driver recognition when ambulances drive under emergency conditions.

“This is in line with the latest international best practice for emergency vehicle safety and follows extensive research by the QAS which found the most effective colours for retro-reflective lights were fluorescents including yellow and green,” he said.

Mr Roberts said the new markings will be applied to newly commissioned vehicles, with the old livery to be phased out as vehicles are decommissioned.

“These enhancements to QAS vehicles will ensure the residents of Queensland have the highest quality ambulance services available to them,” he said.

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