Paramedics on the Mid North Coast are now better prepared to respond to emergency situations following today’s official opening of the new Sawtell Ambulance Station, delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh joined NSW Ambulance Assistant Commissioner Clare Lorenzen for the official opening and said the station was a welcome addition for local residents.
“The community should feel reassured the NSW Government is committed to delivering world-class facilities to support our region and paramedics on the frontline,” Mr Singh said.
The new purpose-built Sawtell Ambulance Station includes:
- internal parking for up to six emergency ambulance vehicles
- administration and office areas
- staff amenities
- multipurpose meeting/training room
- logistics and storage areas
- relief accommodation
- internal wash bay
- staff parking
- sector office – locating local management under one roof.
NSW Ambulance Assistant Commissioner Clare Lorenzen said local paramedics were involved in the design of the new station.
“These state-of-the-art facilities will allow our paramedics to continue providing top quality emergency medical care to patients when they need it most,” Ms Lorenzen said.
The RAIR program is the largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s 126-year history, with 24 new or upgraded ambulance stations already delivered or under way as part of the $132 million Stage 1. Another $100 million in ambulance assets is being delivered under Stage 2.
In 2020-21, the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in services and capital works for NSW Ambulance. This includes $27 million funding for 180 new Ambulance staff across NSW, the third tranche of the June 2018 commitment to recruit 750 additional paramedic and control centre staff over four years.
