There are many areas of Tenterfield that are inaccessible to standard ambulances but soon this will no longer be a problem. Tenterfield is getting a new 4WD ambulance as part of the state government’s increase of 4WD ambulance capability in New England. Mayor Bronwyn Petrie calls it “great news”.
The 4WD ambulance, to be located at Tenterfield Ambulance Station, is something MP Janelle Saffin and Mayor Petrie have had on the wish list for the shire. “I am super excited as I have been backing the Tenterfield community to have their own 4WD Ambulance for some time,” said Ms Saffin. “On behalf of the entire community, and I know that Mayor Bronwyn Petrie backs this, I extend a big thank you to Minister Ryan Park, who knew how needed this was.
The new Toyota Landcruiser 300 Series has been modified to include a stretcher for transporting patients as well as medical equipment. When paramedics identify locations where they are unable to reach the patient due to an inaccessible road, they advise the NSW Ambulance Control Centre who can then dispatch the closest available 4WD resource.
The community is also serviced by NSW Ambulance’s world first Hazardous Area Rescue Ambulances (HARAs), which are designed to withstand harsh conditions, as well as its aeromedical network of 12 helicopters. These helicopters are staffed with a highly trained medical team, including a critical care doctor and a critical care paramedic with the ability to land on, or winch into, otherwise inaccessible areas across the state. Similar to the 4WDs, the NSW Ambulance aeromedical helicopter fleet and HARAs are frequently deployed across NSW to ensure safe, quality care where required in hazardous terrain.
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