11 new ambulance vehicles for South Western Region

Eleven new Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) vehicles will be commissioned in the service’s South Western region this financial year.

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

“The 11 new vehicles for the South Western region will allow the QAS to replace existing vehicles with newer models,” Mr Roberts said.

The South Western region includes stations in Toowoomba, Darling Downs, Granite Belt and the State’s south-west.

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.

$18.3 million has also been provided this financial year for an additional 250 ambulance officers, on top of the 255 provided for last financial year.

“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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