A Wagga paramedic has slammed “third world” restrictions at the new Coolamon Ambulance Station, leaving staff driving past life-threatening 000 emergencies outside of their respondent area.
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The criticism comes after it was revealed on Thursday that just three paramedics and a team of volunteers would staff the $1.5 million dollar station.
Paramedic John Larter said other Riverina stations were not restricted to respondent areas, with the closest ambulance always responding to emergencies.
“If paramedics have taken a patient to a Wagga hospital and are driving back to Coolamon they could pass a car crash or another emergency they can’t attend,” Mr Larter said.
“It is all about the quickest response and this level of care is simply not acceptable.
“We’d like to get back as quickly as we can to protect our own communities but above all we need to save lives.”
Mr Larter said much smaller communities were staffed with five paramedics and the blended model would create “big problems”.
“It’s like they can’t afford a proper model and can’t get anyone else so they’ll just throw the good country folk in to help,” Mr Larter said.
“The reality is after just 10 days training some poor community member could be pulling their mother-in-law out of a serious accident.”
Mr Larter said he feared if the blended model was approved, it could be implemented right across the Riverina.
“How long will it take them to call for an expression of interest to do the same thing in Wagga?” Mr Larter said.
“To be in this profession you need to go in it with a background of wanting to be in it because there’s possibility of daily trauma.”
Coolamon childcare owner Laura Morrissey said it was a huge relief to see a station after she brought 50 EpiPens in fear when first opening her business.
“My first week in Coolamon more than four years ago, I signed something fighting for the station,” Ms Morrissey said.
“A child has broken their arm going into shock in our care and there was consideration to wait for an ambulance or put them in the car.”
While Ms Morrissey was relieved, she said more staff was needed.
“I would never be able to live with myself knowing I was 10 seconds down the road and had to let someone die because policies won’t let me go,” she said.
