CERTS come under the umbrella of the NSW Ambulance Service, with volunteer members trained to assist ambulance officers from other towns or first responders.
In Tocumwal’s case, where there is no dedicated ambulance station, first responders come from Tocumwal Fire + Rescue NSW.
The idea of a CERT has been put forward, while campaigns to have an ambulance station established in Tocumnwal continue.
A public meeting was hosted last week by the Tocumwal Ambulance Steering Committee and Berrigan Shire Council, with NSW Ambulance representatives attending to provide information.
Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean said while well-supported, it is still too soon to tell whether there was enough interest to move forward.
“People will take their time, talk about the idea, and let the community think about what they heard.
“The age demographic at the meeting was probably on the senior side.
“We should look to try and get some more people who are in their 20s, 30s and 40s, and gauge their interest.
“These people are probably less likely to turn up to a meeting on a Thursday evening, so we will have to look at the strategy of how to reach out to these people.”
Cr Cornwell McKean said she was appreciative of the effort made by the NSW Ambulance members from Sydney who attended the meeting in Tocumwal.
“The purpose of the meeting was an introductory meeting, and the next step is to gauge community interest further,” she said.
“It’s not my decision, (whether Tocumwal gets a CERT) it’s the community’s decision.”
“We need to determine whether or not there’s enough volunteer interest. If we can’t get enough volunteers, we can’t get a CERT.”
Cr Cornwell McKean said a Tocumwal CERT, if established, would be modelled on the system in place in nearby Howlong.
While she is hopeful a CERT can be set up in Tocumwal by next year, she highlighted that in Howlong it took four public meetings and two years of discussions before the CERT was operational.
It was the third CERT service to be launched since NSW Ambulance started the initiative in December 2021, following the program's success in Nana Glen and Manildra.
CERT volunteers complete a comprehensive nine-month training program both in the classroom and on the road with local paramedic crews while they learn to provide initial emergency care to the community.
Cr Cornwell McKean said those who attended the meeting were asked to go away and come up with some questions to be put to the next meeting.
A date is yet to be set, but Cr Cornwell McKean is hoping it will be held in the next six weeks.
The mayor has again stressed that pursuing a CERT for Tocumwal will not interfere with the campaign to have a permanent ambulance station established in Tocumwal.
“Make no mistake, we will keep campaigning for an ambulance station in Tocumwal.
“I don’t want people to think we’ve stopped campaigning. Campaigning doesn’t end. Not on my watch.”
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