August 9, 2019
The Kingaroy Local Ambulance Committee has begun planning an event to celebrate 100 years of ambulance service in the town.
LAC president John Box told the annual general meeting of the group on Thursday night an ambulance began servicing the Kingaroy community on February 27, 1920.
The AGM was an opportunity for Mr Box to reflect back on the past 12 months of the group, which raises funds to help local paramedics as well as conducts community education activities.
Highlights from the year included:
- The nomination of paramedic Daniel Brownsey for a Department of Health Award for Excellence for his efforts in organising training seminars for trainee paramedics
- The retirement party for long-serving paramedic David Bruce
- The Triple Zero awareness day held in May in Memorial Park
Mr Box said the Kingaroy LAC was always on the lookout for new members to join and become involved in the committee.
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A special guest at the AGM was Superintendent Glen Maule, the executive manager operations for the Darling Downs Local Ambulance Service Network.
Supt Maule said the 2019-20 State Budget had provided for 200 more paramedics across Queensland, and had increased funding for the QAS by 10.7 per cent to $885.7 million.
A recruitment campaign was currently under way,
He said an extra 14 staff had been allocated to the Darling Downs region, but no announcement had been made yet about where they would be stationed.
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The State LAC conference will be held from September 6-8 in Toowoomba.
The Kingaroy LAC will be represented by John and Christine Box.
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Kingaroy QAS has received a new replacement ambulance.
Health Minister Steven Miles handed over the keys during a brief ceremony while he was in Kingaroy for the Kingaroy Hospital sod-turning on July 31.
The vehicle features a powerlift stretcher system that can lower and raise patients at the touch of a button, which means less physical stress to paramedics and a more comfortable ride for patients.
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Kingaroy officer-in-charge Travis Cramb said Kingaroy paramedics had been called to 5582 incidents during 2018-19, up from 4922 in 2017-18.
Their seven vehicles travelled a total of 278,919km.
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The following people were elected at the AGM:
- President – John Box
- Vice-President – Debbie Jackson
- Secretary – Christine Box
- Treasurer – Danita Potter
- Committee members – Sharon Leach, John Shaw and Kendall Siddans
