Ambulance Victoria

Something new caught your eye in the sky? Our four new fixed-wing planes are now soaring across the skies to deliver best care to those in need. Two Beechcraft King Air 260C and two 360C aircraft have officially replaced a fixed-wing air fleet that served Victorians for more than 12 years. The aircraft have the capability to deploy specialist paramedic and medical teams to regional locations, facilitating critical care interventions for both adult and pediatric patients before transferring them to major metropolitan hospitals. Fitted with the latest technology to ensure the comfort, safety and care of patients, each aircraft has: 🛩️ an advanced mechanical stretcher loading system, which helps reduce patient transfer times, 🛩️a top speed of 574 kilometres per hour and a maximum range of 3,185 kilometres, allowing our aircraft to provide essential service to not only Victoria but also interstate. 🛩️ an Australian-first Pilot Fatigue Detection System (PFDS) that enhances the safety of both crew and passengers by providing audible alerts for early signs of pilot fatigue. These new planes will particularly benefit those needing priority care in regional areas that may be outside the normal range of Ambulance Victoria helicopters. Read more: https://bit.ly/41yWzVQ

Our new state-of-the-art ambulance branch in Yarram is officially open! Operating since November last year, the new branch is home to eight paramedics and five Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs), who are a valued and critical part of our emergency response in rural and regional Victoria. The Yarram team provides care to towns such as Yarram, Woodside, Alberton, Port Albert, McLoughlin’s Beach, Port Welshpool, Welshpool, Won Wron, Stacey’s Bridge and Jack River. We recently celebrated 100 years of ambulance services in Yarram and these improved facilities will allow us to continue providing best care to the community for many years to come. Thank you to the members of the Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place who joined us and performed a smoking ceremony. https://bit.ly/4hMNTRM 📷 2 The Bridge -Local News

Corryong, you have another new automated external defibrillator (AED)! ❤️ 📍 The latest heart-starting device is publicly accessible 24/7 and located at Sacred Heart Catholic School (111-115 Hanson St, Corryong). AEDs are automated devices used during a cardiac arrest to attempt to shock the patient’s heart back into normal function. When a cardiac arrest patient receives cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, their chance of survival more than doubles. The new AED was made possible through funding from Towong Shire Bushfire Funding, Corryong Rotary and local donations. AEDs don’t require training to use – simply open it and follow the instructions. 📅 But anyone attending the Corryong Skatepark opening this Saturday will have the opportunity to practise, with AV first responders. The session will also be an opportunity for locals to learn about the GoodSAM app, following the installation of two new AEDs in town in recent months. https://bit.ly/3RePEfz 📷 Mark Collins, Corryong Courier

We’re seeking expressions of interest from the Victorian community to join our Community Advisory Committee. Made up of community voices, the Committee ensures the voices of all Victorian communities are heard, understood and integrated across Ambulance Victoria’s services. Expressions of Interest are encouraged from a diverse range of people including those who reside in regional and rural locations, are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, young people aged 18-25, are gender diverse or are newly arrived migrants or refugees. Interested? Find out more here: https://bit.ly/43sTA3M

Before 👉 after. Our new Paynesville branch has now been operational since October and is home to five paramedics and 11 Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs). While the former branch served the area well, it was no longer big enough to accommodate the number of staff we now have and today’s training requirements. Our new, purpose-built branch ensures we have the facilities and support needed to quickly respond to emergencies. The new location was carefully selected to ensure the best coverage of ambulance services for the community, with the site close to schools, local walking trails, waterways and nature reserves. https://bit.ly/3FAsC0e

Did you know Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics can practise a lifesaving procedure thanks to 3D printing technology? In 2021, we partnered with Yarra Ranges Tech School - Box Hill Institute to print 3D plastic larynx trainers, known as “cric trainers” for our MICA interns. Our skilled MICA students use the cric trainer, bubble wrap, tape and a bandage to create a realistic training resource to practise cricothyroidotomy – a critical procedure used to insert a breathing tube. In the past three years, more than 170 cric trainers have been provided to AV and used in over 110 training sessions - leading to phenomenal success in our paramedics performing cricothyroidotomy. The 3D printed customised training aides help prepare paramedics for real world scenarios and is just one example of how we continuously try to seek more effective ways of training our highly skilled workforce. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4kWezCg

Racing to the track this weekend? We’re trackside at the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix – but we would prefer not to meet you in an emergency. A reminder to: 🏁 Minimise alcohol and other substance use and enjoy the event responsibly. 🏁 Ensure you drink plenty of water and wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. Saturday will be a stinker! 🏁 Use public transport or have a designated driver if you plan to drink. 🏁 Take what medications you need with you if you're going to spend long days at the event. 🏁 Wear hearing protection – it may help prevent problems down the track. 🏁 Like at any public event, wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick. If you’re not feeling well, consider passing on your tickets to friends or family.

It made perfect sense for one of Barwon South West’s newest graduate paramedics Chelsea Coulson to start her AV career in a region with so much coastline, given it was her experience as a lifeguard that led her to paramedicine. It was involvement in her local lifesaving club in Williamstown that kickstarted Chelsea’s path to where she is now. “Volunteering there was my first exposure to first aid. That experience from a young age really reinforced my passion to become a paramedic because I’ve always wanted a career that has a positive impact on the community, and as a paramedic you assist people in their greatest moments of need.” Chelsea is currently working in Geelong, where she began AV’s Graduate Bridging Paramedic (GBP) program late last year. The 16-month program sees GBPs spend six months working and completing learning tasks under direct supervision on a Medium Acuity Transport Service (MATS) vehicle, before transitioning to work on an emergency vehicle. In a few months, Chelsea will move to Warrnambool for the second phase of the program. “Geelong is such a great area and I’m very fortunate to begin my career here. I’ve really enjoyed my first few months on road and feel like I’ve settled in quite well. “A real highlight for me has been meeting all the other fantastic paramedics in the region. Everyone has been really supportive, and it’s been great having the opportunity to learn from them and pick up some tips and tricks.” https://bit.ly/3XtHd3B

Whether he is meeting a queen or a patient in need, Paul James’s passion for patient care and commitment to the community shines through. Paul, our Acting Gippsland Director of Regional and Clinical Operations, joined the South-East Ambulance Service in 1995. Inspired by his experiences as an Ambulance Community Officer, he then made the leap into paramedicine. Paul has been instrumental in implementing key innovations and evolving clinical care standards. He has also played a crucial role in major emergencies, including the 2009 Victorian bushfires, 2014 Hazelwood mine fire and 2019–20 East Gippsland bushfires. Paul’s leadership has influenced the development of specialist programs, such as wilderness and aquatic response, and his commitment to helping others extends beyond AV, dedicating countless hours as a volunteer with Life Saving Victoria since the age of 13. His outstanding contributions to lifesaving and community service were recognised when he was selected to meet Queen Elizabeth, an honour that underscores his lifelong dedication to protecting and supporting others. As he marks his milestone in the service, Paul’s focused on the future of paramedicine. From telemedicine to emerging technology such as portable X-rays and even jetpacks for wilderness responders, he sees an exciting path ahead! “I’ve been proud to make a difference and I know the next generation of paramedics will continue to build on the work we’ve done. It’s about giving back to the community we live in and ensuring the best care for patients.” Read Paul's story here: https://bit.ly/3FmYTaZ

Us: Talented team building the health literacy of our community and telling the stories of our people and patients. You: Exceptional social media professional with an appetite to help us take our social media to the next level. 🤝 Come and join the team behind AV’s social media channels! If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding social media position with an organisation that makes a real difference to the lives of Victorians every day, this could be the job for you. Apply here 👉 https://bit.ly/4inPyOr