NEW AMBULANCE VEHICLES FOR WHITSUNDAY AND PROSERPINE

_{16 February, 2010}

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Public safety in the Whitsunday region was boosted today when two specially imported ambulance vehicles were handed over to staff at the Whitsunday Ambulance Station.

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt handed over the keys to the two Mercedes Sprinter 318 worth $180,000 each to station staff.

Ms Jarratt said the vehicles had significant safety features not normally available in standard vans in Australia.

“I’m delighted to deliver these new vehicles today, reaffirming the Bligh Government’s commitment to supporting our hardworking men and women in the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS),” Ms Jarratt said.

“The new ambulances have state-of-the-art equipment to assist local paramedics' responses to medical emergencies and meet growing demand in the area.

“The vehicles are also equipped with new Stryker stretchers and stair chairs, which can safely support patients weighing up to 228kg, making ambulance transport safer and more comfortable for both patients and paramedics.”

Ms Jarratt said the new ambulance represented a significant investment in community safety for the Whitsunday and Proserpine areas.

“These new vehicles will assist our dedicated and professional staff at Whitsunday and Proserpine Stations to continue the Queensland Ambulance Service’s excellent work in our local community.

“This demonstrates the Bligh Government’s commitment to ensuring the QAS remains one of the top performing emergency service organisations in the country.”

Ms Jarratt said the two new vehicles were a welcome addition to the Whitsunday and Proserpine  combined fleet of six vehicles.

“The new vehicles will certainly enhance the level of service when local paramedics respond to medical emergencies within the region,” she said.

“The 14 frontline staff at Whitsunday and Proserpine Stations are part of a team of 350 operational staff across the Central Region who carry out important work on a daily basis.

“They respond around the clock, seven days a week to those in need and last financial year alone the two stations responded to more than 2,800 emergency cases.”

Ms Jarratt said that since 2004, the Queensland Government had boosted the QAS budget by 70 per cent to a record $494 million this financial year to address increased demand for ambulance services.

“This is another example of the Bligh Government’s commitment to buying new and replacement ambulances across the state, as well as funding 50 additional frontline ambulance officers this financial year.”

Media contact:

Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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