BATHURST’S new ambulance station is finished and ready for the commissioning process.
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Work on the multi-million dollar, purpose-built facility was completed this week by local building company Hines Constructions and handed over to the NSW Ambulance service.
Superintendent with NSW Ambulance, Brad Porter, said it was an exciting day for NSW Ambulance, with the new facility “leaps and bounds” ahead of the old ambulance station in William Street, which has been home to paramedics, and the Central West Zone for decades.
The current facility is over 80 years old, with the station operating from downstairs, and Central West Zone upstairs.
It only has room to house four ambulances undercover and securely; the rest are parked at the rear of the station.
By comparison, the new building is purpose built with state-of-the-art facilities and includes a regional education centre, and secure undercover parking for every ambulance unit.
Supt Porter said architects worked with paramedics on the design of the new facility to ensure the design and work flow of the facility “really work”.
“The new facility is purpose built, designed by paramedics and houses not only the needs of the current workforce but also that of the future” he said.
“The work location inside is fully fitted out, in terms of information and communications technology; NSW Ambulance is moving into E health space.
“Everything is dependent on electronics, and this new facility is fully set up for that, with WiFi and charging areas,” he said.
The new station also includes features such as administration and office areas, amenities, logistics and storage areas, fleet maintenance area, internal wash bay, advance training complex and staff parking.
Supt Porter said the inclusion of a fully fitted out education unit at the new facility was significant, with over 180 paramedics from across the Central West expected to utilise the training facilities.
As of December 1, 2018, paramedics became a registered profession, and paramedics need to do ongoing professional development every 12 months.
Supt Porter said they will now able to come here for three days of training, and learn in a purpose built facility.
Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole, who toured the station on Friday said he was impressed with the new facility.
He said it was great the building, built using local builders and local contractors, was being handed over ahead of schedule.
“It’s great to have a brand new Ambulance Station to support the paramedics and support the wider community,” he said.
Mr Toole said paramedics did a wonderful job in the community and the new facilities would ensure this would continue for decades to come.
He said it will enable paramedics to better meet the current and future demand for mobile emergency medical care in Bathurst and surrounds.
“The new station will ensure local paramedics have a fit-for purpose infrastructure to better meet the emergency medical care needs of the local community and will also include a regional education centre, additional spaces for practical training, lectures and meetings for paramedics across the Central West zone.
“It will also co-locate the Central West Zone Office within the new Bathurst Ambulance Station.”
He said work has come in ahead of schedule and the commissioning process was set to commence with the station to become fully operational by mid-2019.
David Hines, of Hines Construction, which built the facility, thanked his staff, in particular the project manager and site manager for completing the job ahead of schedule.