Paramedics poised at fire stations for better summer response

A PARTNERSHIP between Ambulance Victoria and CFA has seen paramedics based at the Barwon Heads and Portarlington fire stations to better respond to nearby emergencies during the busy tourist season.

Both CFA stations have had a paramedic on site since mid-January as part of the co-location agreement.

This partnership will continue with a paramedic at Portarlington fire station until the end of February, and a motorcycle paramedic at Barwon Heads fire station until February 8.

The state government says the arrangement is an opportunity to enhance emergency service responses to the Bellarine community and has the potential to save lives when time-critical events occur, especially during the busy tourist period, which also coincides with fire season.

Ambulance Victoria and CFA crews will also gain a better understanding of how they can better support each agency at an incident site.

CFA has had a long working relationship with emergency service personnel in all agencies across Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, and both agencies have welcomed the co-location arrangement for the two locations during summer.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville visited the Portarlington fire station last month to observe the partnership.

“This co-location agreement between CFA and Ambulance Victoria is a great example of Victoria’s emergency services working as one to keep the Bellarine community safe,” she said.

“Having a paramedic stationed at both the Portarlington and Barwon Heads CFA stations will greatly improve the response our community receives from our hard-working emergency service staff and volunteers.”