The Performance Review Ambulance Service of NSW report suggests that the ambulance-service rescue function could be transferred to the fire brigade, with a transition plan to be in place by December 1.
It is not a question of what service is better equipped – ambulance, fire brigade or police rescue – to handle the primary rescue function.
The aim is to provide the people of NSW with the best emergency services.
The NSW Fire Brigade has 167 rescue units accredited by the State Rescue Board and the ambulance service has 14.
In the Newcastle area the ambulance and police rescue are responsible for primary rescue services.
Whereas at the lake, Belmont and Toronto fire stations were given the responsibility by the State Rescue Board in June with fire fighters undertaking training and stations to receive fully refitted 2001 model class-3 fire engines in November.
Configured as rescue units, the engines are designed to accommodate the extra rescue equipment required for a primary-rescue role.
While fire fighters from Belmont and Toronto fire stations already respond to rescue emergencies jointly with the police and the ambulance service, they only use existing road-accident rescue equipment, which is carried on all fire engines.
NSW Fire Brigade Employees Services Union representative Luke Russell said a push had not been made by the fire department or union but if the gove-rnment decided to give NSW Fire Brigade the primary rescue function, it was more than capable of doing the job.
“If there were any accidents in the lake area we’d be the first ones to respond.”
Mr Russell said as Newcastle and Lake Macquarie had expanded, the gap between south, east and west sides of the lake had widened, making it more difficult for a quick response time for all emergency services with existing units.
Therefore, he believes the additional rescue-specific units at Toronto and Belmont would help to service the region better.
Emergency rescue responsibilites
NSW rescue services are coordinated by the State Rescue Board.
Rescue involves the NSW Ambulance Service, NSW Police, NSW Fire Brigade, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Rescue Association and Volunteer Maritime Rescue Ass-ociation.
State Resuce Board chairperson Philip McNamara said primary and secondary response units had the same qualifications to respond to emergency situations.
“In terms of training and capabilities there is no difference between primary and secondary.
“Primary simply indicates the first to be called to an emergency.”
All rescue staff are trained ready to respond to general land rescue such as road accidents.
All rescue staff have first aid qualifications, have completed a road-crash rescue course.
However, vertical-rescue capabilities are a specialty of particular rescue services.
In a road accident-situation, Mr McNamara said staff would be equipped to use equipment such as the jaws of life, spreaders and glass kits.
Ambulance response to the recommendation
The Health Services Union, which represents ambulance officers, does not agree with the recommendation.
Industrial officer Bob Morgan said the union did not believe it was necessary for the ambulance service to divest itself of the rescue capability.
Quoting 2003/04 statistics Mr Morgan said the fire brigade did 36 per cent of rescues; ambulance 26pc and police 17pc.
Then in 2005/06, Mr Morgan said figures given to the State Rescue Board by the fire brigade show the fire brigade handled almost triple the number of rescues from 2003/04 (3915) to 2006/07 (11,555).
“We’re not convinced about the figures.”
He said any rescue would need clinical intervention, which ambulance officers were better equipped to handle.
The Star newspaper contacted the Health Services Union spokesperson for the Hunter to find out the recommendation’s impact at the local level but they did not respond.
Brigades response to the recommendation
While all fire fighters were trained in rescue, primary-rescue crews would have to undergo additional specialist training.
A NSW Fire Brigade spokesperson said the fire brigade had significant rescue capabilities and a seamless transition would maintain the current high standard of protection for the community, which could be achieved if the ambulance service, rescue board and government decided to act on the recommendation.
However, the NSWFB emphasises it is still in the recommendation and consultation stage.
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