16 new ambulance vehicles for Northern Region

Sixteen new Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) vehicles will be commissioned in the service’s Northern 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 16 new vehicles for the Northern region will allow the QAS to replace 12 existing vehicles and commission an additional four vehicles including one bariatric ambulance,” Mr Roberts said.

The Northern region includes stations in Townville, Gulf of Carpentaria, north west and far west of Queensland.

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".

Mr Roberts said that three bariatric ambulances were also part of the 145 ambulance vehicle rollout with two to be stationed in Brisbane and another in Townsville to service North Queensland.

"These vehicles will provide a capability for the QAS to transport bariatric patients in a safe manner. It will also provide the QAS with the ability to carry the necessary equipment to safely extricate these patients from their residence,” he said.

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