Ambo call for first responders in Brisbane Valley

THE Ipswich region's country paramedics ability to get to patients in outlying areas could be enhanced with the help of everyday members of the community.

Glenn Dudley. Picture: Inga Williams

THE Ipswich region's country paramedics are saving lives every day of the week, but their ability to get to patients in outlying areas could be enhanced with the help of everyday members of the community.

The Queensland Ambulance Service relies heavily on volunteer First Responders to be first on scene in an emergency, keeping patients alive until expert paramedics arrive.

Their proximity to patients in remote areas can mean the difference between life and death - as has been exemplified in Ipswich's outlying areas in the past.

To coincide with international Volunteer's Day, Lowood Ambulance Station officer in charge Glenn Dudley is calling on people from Lowood and surrounding areas to sign up as a First Responder or join the Local Ambulance Committee.

Although Boonah is well-serviced by a local First Responder, areas of the Lockyer and Brisbane Valley have no such volunteers.

An advance care paramedic, Mr Dudley said the First Responder was a valuable asset to the QAS, especially with patients that suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

"We will do some in-house, specialised training with them - including defibrillation and resuscitation training - and they will be given a uniform and equipment," he said.

"They will be assigned to an ambulance station and given a pager, a phone and a radio."

Mr Dudley said First Responders were needed for the Lowood, Laidley, Gatton and Toogoolawah areas.

Local paramedics are also looking for people - especially younger members of the community - to volunteer for the local ambulance committees.

Committee volunteers also receive basic first aid training. LACs work with paramedics to deliver key safety messages to the community.

If you live in Lowood, Fernvale, Boonah, Gatton, Toogoolawah, Esk, Laidley, Rosewood or surrounding suburbs and want to be a First Responder, there will be an information night on December 17 at Lowood Station at 11 Peace St, Lowood at 7pm.

RSVP to [e-mail]. gov.au.