“THIS will give paramedics the type of facility they deserve.”
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They’re the words of Inspector Eamonn Purcell after the first sod was turned for Wagga’s new ambulance station.
The new station is on the doorstep of Wagga’s biggest suburb and has been designed to allow for the fastest possible response times.
Inspector Purcell said data from emergency calls and traffic information had been compiled to find the most effective location.
The station will be located on Fernleigh Road, next door to CSU’s South Campus.
“It’s the best location for the best possible response time,” Inspector Purcell said.
He said paramedics from the city and the district were excited about the new development.
The state government has tipped in $122 million to the project which has been designed by NSW Ambulance Service for their needs.
The ambulance service has outgrown its Johnston Street home with vehicles parked out on the street.
Inspector Purcell said the new station would provide room for the ambulances to be parked under cover.
“We’ll be able to look after ambulances much better,” he said.
Harsh summer sunlight contributed to medicine being ruined and equipment breaking.
NSW Ambulance Service commissioner David Dutton said the turning of the first sod was an exciting day.
Up to 14 vehicles and 21 staff will be stationed on Fernleigh Road.
The original station was designed to hold just four ambulance crews when it was built in 1927.
A mechanic’s workshop will be included to maintain the ambulances and an education centre will be built to provide training to paramedics.
“This puts everything on one site for us,” Commissioner Dutton said.
He said it would allow the service to focus on their core mission of providing great patient care.
Commissioner Dutton said the site chosen also had room to allow for further growth of the ambulance service in the city.
Wagga’s new ambulance station is due to be completed in late 2016, a transition period from the old station will begin before it becomes operational.
Once completed, a decision is expected on the Johnston Street station.