Griffith’s paramedics have welcomed a new ambulance station which has been declared “fit for purpose”.
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Building work at the new station has been completed, with the remaining work to be finished by NSW Ambulance as they fit-out the station with communications gear and supplies.
On Thursday, Member for Murray Austin Evans was joined by staff from NSW Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance for a tour of the new station.
Mr Evans said he’d be impressed by the project and the collaboration between designers and Griffith paramedics.
“They’ve worked with staff and paramedics,” he said.
The staff area was originally set to be on the building’s western side, but was flipped after consultation with staff.
“Picking things up at the design stage, rather than once it’s operational makes such a difference.”
Griffith’s station boasts 14 full-time paramedics who work in shifts.
The station has been designed with one eye on the future, with additional room to accommodate more ambulance vehicles as well as additional paramedics.
“It gives us the ability to grow into it as the need arises,” acting deputy operations director Superintendent Liesa Huggins said.
An expanded garage will also assist other ambulance stations around the MIA, with a dedicated area for mechanics to maintain the ambulance fleet.
It means instead of taking ambulances out of service as they travel to Wagga, they work can be done in Griffith.
As well as the room to grow, the new station also has a training room – something which was missing in the old station.
A wash bay for ambulances can be found behind the garage which uses a separate drain to prevent any contaminants from spreading into the environment.
“The next stage is fit-out for communications systems which will take place over the next few weeks,” Superintendent Huggins said.
Once the fit-out is complete, there will be a ‘soft launch’ which will mean paramedics temporarily work from both stations as they familiarise themselves with their new home.
It’s not only Griffith paramedics which will have to learn where everything has been moved to, but paramedics from around the area.
It’s expected the new station will become operational by the end of the year.
While the total cost of the new station on Wakaden Street hasn’t been revealed, it is part of a $122 million state government program.
The Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Re-configuration program has funded 23 upgrades, rebuilds and new stations including the towns of Coolamon, Wagga Wagga, Ardlethan, Harden and Molong.
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