At least 10 locals may be needed to ensure plans for a Tocumwal Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) can be effective for the community.
NSW Ambulance has said other CERTs operating within the state have started with 10 to 12 volunteers “to optimise coverage and service delivery”.
Those volunteers would be required to complete a minimum nine months of training with NSW Ambulance, to serve their community.
Discussions of forming a CERT in Tocumwal have been launched as an interim way to address the needs of the Tocumwal community.
A local steering committee, with the support of Berrigan Shire Council, is campaigning for a dedicated Ambulance station and paramedics to be stationed in the town.
With NSW Ambulance saying other communities are higher on the priority list, the CERT proposal was put forward.
The first community meeting on the proposal was held a fortnight ago, with more meetings to follow.
Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean said even if the community supports the CERT intitiative, efforts to get an ambulance station would not stop.
In providing more information on the process to the Southern Riverina News, NSW Ambulance said it is “committed to continuing to consult with the Berrigan Shire Council and the Tocumwal community about volunteer opportunities to enhance New South Wales Ambulance clinical services in the community.”
“New South Wales Ambulance operates a highly mobile workforce, with vehicles and crews moving throughout their shifts to provide geographical coverage of ambulance resources across the Berrigan Shire,” a spokesperson said.
“New South Wales Ambulance, in conjunction with Berrigan Shire Council and the Tocumwal Ambulance Steering Committee conducted a community consultation meeting on September 26 to discuss various New South Wales Ambulance clinical volunteer service models and the potential development of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
“The Tocumwal community has a Community First Responder unit, which was established in 2010 in partnership with Fire + Rescue New South Wales.”
“New South Wales Ambulance provides and trains CFR units to assist with timely responses to immediately life-threatening conditions including urgent CPR and defibrillation.”
“Community Emergency Response Teams are designed to assist regional communities and are comprised of New South Wales Ambulance clinical volunteers who are trained and equipped to a high standard to support paramedics in times of need.”
The spokesperson said Tocumwal meets the criteria, and has been identified as a suitable location for a CERT.
“The advantage of a CERT team is the provision of a marked, equipped New South Wales Ambulance response vehicle which allows teams to respond to patients faster with clinical supervision by New South Wales Ambulance,” the spokesperson said.
“Currently CERT members undergo clinical training for nine to 12 months, delivered by New South Wales Ambulance.”
“Further information on clinical volunteer opportunities with New South Wales Ambulance is available online at www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer.”