September 8, 2016
Kingaroy’s ambulance fleet responded to 969 incidents in August, the Kingaroy Local Ambulance Committee heard at their Annual General Meeting on September 6.
Officer-In-Charge Travis Cramb disclosed the figures in his monthly report to the LAC to keep them updated on activities at the Ambulance Station.
Two of the fleet’s vehicles are currently out of service due to mechanical faults, he said, but they have been replaced by sector spare vehicles until the station’s ambulances are put back into service.
The ambulance station’s facilities are in excellent condition and all routine maintenance is being carried out.
However, staff got a small surprise during recent testing of the emergency lighting when they found the lights didn’t come on if power was lost, and this is being addressed.
During September, ambulance staff also ran several CPR awareness courses for different groups in the community.
Nineteen mothers and children from the Home Schooling group came for a station tour and participated in a CPR awareness course, and another course was run for seven people from the Kingaroy hospital who have just completed a seven week cardiac rehabilitation course. Several members of the Kingaroy Quota club also took a station tour and CPR course.
Finally, the station recently received a thank you phone call and visit from the parents of a two year old child who fell off a bed and had a major seizure. The child was intubated at Kingaroy hospital and flown to Brisbane in a serious condition.
The child’s father expressed his thanks to officers Tim Westerweel and Tammy Genn, who he said acted with extreme professionalism and efficiency. He was also impressed by the caring nature and compassion they showed towards his child, himself and his wife.
Following OIC Cramb’s report, Kingaroy LAC President John Box gave his own report to the committee:
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Presidents Report
It is with great pleasure I present the 2015-2016 Annual Report.
We saw the usual staff comings and goings again this year which is an ongoing occurrence in the life of a Paramedic, and we welcomed Travis Cramb as our new Officer-In-Charge.
Re equipment and facilities, our Local Ambulance Committee donated $2300 to supply text books to the Station Library for Paramedic education, and community support from Service Clubs has been gained to assist in the purchase of an $11k MegaCode Kid manikin, as recommended by QAS, for the Kingaroy Paramedic Training Room.
Due to my family’s commitments with our granddaughter in Brisbane, our committee input has been fairly restricted this year. Members participated in our standby fundraiser, carrying out the raffles at the RSL on two occasions.
The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry held their regular 6 weekly ‘Meet and Greet’ at the station in March. It was a great opportunity to showcase our LAC activities and the QAS facility and operations to the active local business community.
The Quota Club of Kingaroy attended CPR Awareness in August and heard presentations from OIC Travis and President John. They then went on a tour of the station and asked plenty of questions. They are now very aware of QAS and LAC operations in Kingaroy.
Taabinga Rotary are booked in for CPR Awareness and a station tour in October.
They have committed to a donation toward the purchase of the MegaCode Kid manikin for the Paramedic Training Room and plan to present a cheque to the LAC at this visit.
Finally, Michael Brown joined our committee this year bringing the current total to seven, and Abby Anderson and John Shaw have also indicated their interest in becoming committee members.
Debbie Jackson, Sharon Leach, Peter McLennan and Kendall Siddans were all presented with 5-year service to LAC badges by Assistant Commissioner Rod Sheather at the meeting held at the station by the KCCI in March.
It has once again been my privilege to serve as President for the past year and I thank all the committee and especially the Executive for their ongoing support.
Last but not least, my thanks go to OIC Travis and the wonderful team of Kingaroy Paramedics for their support. They are the reason for our Committee to exist.
John Box
President, Kingaroy LAC
