Local CFA units in Cockatoo and Emerald will soon be operating in a new way in their areas, so if you are a local calling Triple Zero, it might just be a CFA truck who arrives on your doorstep.
New training and equipment has thoroughly prepped the local volunteers from both units, who are excited to be part of the new program, set to launch this Thursday 21 August.
Among 26 other CFA brigades across Victoria selected and trained to respond to specific medical Triple Zero calls, the Emerald CFA and Cockatoo CFA are proud to be among the first units in the State to operate in this way.
This new and lifesaving program will officially launch on Thursday 21 August and the new Fire Medical Response program will enhance emergency response callouts in Emerald, Cockatoo and Avonsleigh.
How does it work?
The program is a joint initiative of CFA and Ambulance Victoria that will see CFA brigades and Ambulance Victoria dispatched simultaneously to cardiac arrests.
So when you dial Triple Zero, if you meet certain criteria, the operator will send both services to you.
Every minute counts in a cardiac arrest and the sooner a trained responder with the right equipment is there to help, the better.
Emerald CFA Captain Klaus Brodeck and Cockatoo CFA Captain Marcus Harris said the decision to join the program was a clear and straightforward one, given the significant benefits it will deliver to the communities of Emerald, Cockatoo, and Avonsleigh.
“Many brigade members were already active GoodSAM responders independent from their CFA involvement,” he said. (GoodSAM is app that alerts registered responders to help before the ambulance arrives, giving precious minutes of CPR to those that need it).
The teams at both Emerald and Cockatoo have completed their training and prepped their trucks with new specialised equipment and are now ready to launch when needed .
Every minute without CPR or defibrillation lowers the chance of survival of a person by 10 per cent and early help from the newly trained CFA can greatly increase survival rates.
“Now, with a structured process, enhanced training, and better equipment, we’re well-positioned to assist ambulance crews – and proud to play a role in protecting our community.” said Captain Brodeck.
Ambulance Victoria has had highly skilled paramedic trainers working with Emerald and Cockatoo CFA volunteers for months to thoroughly equip and support the teams when there is a threatening medical emergency in the local area.
“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.” said Captain Harris.
The Fire Medical Response Program kicked off last year in December in other parts of Victoria, with nine brigades in Euroa, Tatura, Numurkah, Yarrawonga, Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Bairnsdale, Huntly and Kyneton participating, with Emerald and Cockatoo CFA part of the next wave.
By the time rollout completes, 50 CFA brigades across Victoria will participate and Ambulance Victoria will have another supportive first responder program in place to further improve patient outcomes in the community.
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook said the program was a natural fit for CFA because of the 52,000 volunteers across the state.
“CFA has more than 1,100 volunteer fire stations with more than 52,000 members,” Deputy Chief Officer Cook 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,” he said.
Ambulance Victoria Executive Director of Regional Operations, Danielle North, said Victoria’s cardiac survival rates are one of the best in the world, thanks to high rates of early intervention.
“The Fire Medical Response program will improve survival rates for people in rural and regional Victoria,” Executive Director North said.
“Quick intervention with CPR and a defibrillator has the greatest impact on improving a patient’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest,” she said.
