In the NSW Riverina region, the community of The Rock and its surrounding areas will benefit from a new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) service, launched by NSW Ambulance this week.
Seven clinical volunteers are now ready to step up to help their communities after graduating from a comprehensive nine-month training program, both in the classroom and on the road with local paramedic crews.
CERTs are a unique resource designed to assist smaller regional communities and are comprised entirely of NSW Ambulance clinical volunteers who support paramedics in times of need.
When a local patient needs lifesaving treatment fast, local CERT volunteers will be deployed by the Triple Zero (000) dispatch system to provide initial assistance while paramedics are on the way.
The milestone marks an important step in the evolution of NSW Ambulance’s clinical volunteer program across the state with The Rock now being the eighth CERT service launched since the initiative began in December 2021.
The service has proven a resounding success in areas including Nana Glen, Manildra and Howlong.
NSW Ambulance provides CERT volunteers with ongoing mentoring by local paramedics and operational management teams in addition to well-being support. Volunteers receive personal protective equipment, uniforms and a fit-for-purpose NSW Ambulance response vehicle with warning lights allowing them to get to emergencies quickly.
The journey to a CERT service for The Rock commenced around 18 months ago after NSW Ambulance was approached by The Rock Progress Association, which was seeking to improve the health outcomes of its residents.
NSW Ambulance held several public meetings to explore community interest in a CERT model, with the seven volunteers selected after a thorough application process.
One of these volunteers is platform analyst Kathleen Sneddon, a relative newcomer to the area who used the opportunity to meet new people and offer assistance to her new community.
In addition to NSW Ambulance’s CERT volunteer training program, the Minns Labor Government is strengthening the health workforce by investing in the recruitment of 500 paramedics for regional communities in NSW.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
“I’m thrilled to see this amazing NSW Ambulance initiative being embraced by yet another community within our state, a big thank you to the seven incredible individuals in The Rock who have chosen to volunteer their time to help others.
“These incredible volunteers have undergone months of training and are now willing to answer their availability phones both day and night and be ready to respond to emergencies – it shows true dedication to their local community.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr:
“The launch of The Rock’s CERT service is a triumph for a can-do community.
“I was proud to work with the government, NSW Ambulance and The Rock Progress Association to help make this critically important service a reality and was thrilled to see the idea embraced so enthusiastically by the community.
“My congratulations to all involved, with special mention of the team of volunteers who have signed up to learn life-saving skills, making their community even safer and more connected than ever.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
“While our paramedics remain at the heart of emergency care, CERT volunteers add an extra layer of strength and resilience when it matters most - whether in medical emergencies or natural disasters.
“We are so grateful to The Rock for supporting this program, and offer our gratitude to those graduating today.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Senior Manager Clinical Volunteers, Desiree O’Brien:
“The new response vehicle is key to supporting our clinical volunteers as it provides enhanced safety through the use of vehicle-tracking technology and improved communication via radio and mobile phone.”
Quotes attributable to CERT Clinical Volunteer, Kathleen Sneddon:
“The seven of us all come from different backgrounds so we have been able to support each other through the training and will continue to back each other up.
“The training was excellent, and I now feel confident and capable of helping people out in an emergency until paramedics arrive – our community is also really excited for us to start so they can feel reassured that they will get assistance quickly.”