The joint initiative between CFA and Ambulance Victoria will see CFA brigades dispatched simultaneously to cardiac arrests with the nearest ambulance in the new Fire Medical Response program.
Euroa, Tatura, Numurkah, Yarrawonga, Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Bairnsdale, Huntly and Kyneton are kicking off the new program, which starts on November 27.
Euroa Brigade Captain Damon Rieusset said this program would make a life-saving difference in rural and remote communities.
“We all know stories of families having to perform CPR at home on loved ones while an ambulance is on the way,” he said.
“In a rural area like Euroa, it can be challenging to have an ambulance on your doorstep in minutes.
“If our crews can get there first and start providing care, that could make all the difference for someone’s survival.”
The nine brigades have been training for months with AV, and a further 19 are currently enrolled in the program.
Once the program is fully rolled out, 50 strategically selected CFA brigades will participate in the program.
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook said this program was the right move.
“CFA has more than 1100 volunteer fire stations with more than 52,000 members,” he said.
“This puts CFA in a unique position to complement the Ambulance Victoria response in 50 locations across Victoria to help deliver early intervention to cardiac arrests.
“What this program means is that community members who call for an ambulance may receive both a fire truck and an ambulance. There is no specific order in which the services arrive to the incident.”
Watch what some of the program participants had to say about the training below.
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