KILMORE Men’s Shed is one of many community organisations supporting Wallan Ambulance Station.
Last week, shed members constructed and donated a specialised table for the station’s $18,000 practice mannequin.
The mannequin will now have a stationary position which will prevent the expensive equipment being moved around without proper support.
Six months ago Wallan Ambulance Auxiliary rallied community groups together to help raise money for the training equipment.
“Bendigo Bank, Lions Club and the football club were huge supporters – as well as the public who supported us through buying raffle tickets,” auxiliary president Tom Thomson said.
Wallan Ambulance branch team manager Nick Smailes said the team was grateful for the shed’s contribution.
“Anything could happen when you’re moving an expensive piece of equipment around. The mannequin benefits graduate paramedics by familiarising them with ambulance work – they can practice a range of things including CPR and intubating,” Mr Smailes said.
Mr Thomson said the auxiliary – now named the Mitchell Ambulance Auxiliary – has expanded to cover stations in the Wallan, Kilmore, Broadford and Seymour area.
“We’ll be looking to the public for support and we’re trying to encourage people to support Ambulance Victoria through the auxiliaries. I’m also desperately looking for a secretary,” Mr Thomson laughed.
Wallan ambulance officers will also visit the Wallan and Kilmore areas tomorrow to teach people CPR.
“We’ll be stationed outside Nexus Health in Wallan in the morning, and will be visiting Kilmore in the afternoon,” Mr Smailes said.
“We’re teaching people CPR and working with the public because they can make a real difference on a patient before we get there.”
People who would like to donate or help Mitchell Ambulance Auxiliary can call Tom Thomson on 0427 755 446.
