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Nundle Community First Responders Program

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About this Item
Subjects -  Ambulances; Rescue and Emergency Services
Speakers - Draper Mr Peter
Business - Private Members Statements


    NUNDLE COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS PROGRAM
Page: 1716


    Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [5.52 p.m.]: Tonight I wish to highlight an innovative program initiated in the electorate of Tamworth that will have positive implications for the wellbeing of residents in small communities across the State. In June I attended the graduation of five members of the Community First Responders Program of the State Emergency Service [SES] in Nundle, a rural village located approximately 70 kilometres to the east of Tamworth. The program is the first of its kind in New South Wales, and it trained members of the local SES to deliver pre-hospital care for emergency patients in areas which do not have ambulance stations. The importance of this initiative was reinforced by the attendance of State Emergency Service Director General Philip McNamara and New South Wales Ambulance Service General Manager of Operations Mike Willis at the graduation celebrations.

    After undertaking a six-day training course run by the New South Wales Ambulance Service, the graduates obtained skills in advanced airway management, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illnesses, and management of cardiac complaints, including early defibrillation and treatment of severe trauma. These skills are utilised to treat patients in the Nundle area until fully qualified ambulance officers arrive on the scene. The value of having SES members with such skills is very high for small communities like Nundle. The two areas of emergency response closest to Nundle are located at Tamworth and Quirindi. On average it takes 50 minutes for an ambulance crew to travel under lights to Nundle from Quirindi, and 70 minutes for a crew travelling from Tamworth.

    The Community First Responders can be on the scene of an emergency in the local area from their headquarters within minutes. As most in the House would know, it is critical for an emergency patient to be treated as quickly as humanly possible. In emergency crew jargon, the first hour in which a patient is treated is referred to as "the golden hour". Emergency crews clearly view this period as crucial to the survival and recovery of the patient, so in the case of small communities it is vital that services are available to respond within that period. The Community First Responders provide such a service in the absence of a local ambulance service.

    According to the SES regional controller for the north-west area, Peter Higgins, Nundle was chosen to host the pilot program because of its isolated geographic location, and the minimal emergency services located in the town. It was also in a unique position as the local SES volunteers have been operating in a similar medical response role for the past 18 years. Such is the success of the program that it is soon to be rolled out in other small communities across the State. Programs are being initiated in the villages of Sofala and Turon in the Central West, Goolgowrie in the Murrumbidgee and Captains Flat, which is south-east of Canberra. The program is also earmarked for Tambar Springs, a village that will also be located in the electorate of Tamworth following the 2007 electorate boundary redistribution.

    The graduates Joy Carr, Tony Taylor, Nathan Peacock, Craig Fleming and Charlie Adams are all residents of Nundle, and are wellknown in the local community. Tony Taylor has been a volunteer member of the SES in Nundle for the past 15 years and is also the supervisor at Nundle pool. He said the local branch of the SES has been working towards a program such as the Community First Responders for a number of years, and it is very exciting to be a part of the pilot program. Fellow Community First Responder Craig Fleming is also proud to be associated with the program. Craig is keen to see the program rolled out to other small communities across the State and hopes he and his fellow responders provide a positive example for other communities to follow. Coming from a nursing background, SES volunteer Joy Carr took to her new role as a Community First Responder with great vigour. Already serving a first aid role with the SES, Joy is appreciative of the commitment from the New South Wales Ambulance Service and the SES in training the responders, and for providing them with the necessary equipment to conduct their role.

    I was honoured to be invited to attend the graduation ceremony for the five volunteers, and I congratulate each and every one of them for showing the initiative to help address an area of great need in their community. I commend the Community First Responders Program to other members of the House, and I am sure the Nundle volunteers will provide a positive example for other like-minded community members in New South Wales. Nundle is clearly a terrific small community with dedicated and talented people who are prepared to help others. We may well need these people more, unless the Government stops sitting on its hands and provides funds to replace the Nundle bridge. I have raised this issue with various roads Ministers, and I would warn Minister Roozendaal to expect me to be haunting his office until I get the right result.

    Nundle is a major tourist destination, attracting a great many people to our entire district. It is under threat because of inaction by various levels of government, and the safety and wellbeing of the community is being compromised. It is under threat because of this disgraceful piece of very badly neglected infrastructure. Thank goodness for the Community First Responders, because that bridge is a disaster waiting to happen. I do not want the day to come when we have to call in our Community First Responders to avert a tragedy.

    Private members' statements noted.
    The House adjourned at 5.57 p.m. until Tuesday 19 September 2006 at 2.15 p.m.
    _______________


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