RESIDENTS across Broadford and Kilmore in need of life-saving support will get additional assistance from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in the coming weeks as both towns’ CFA joins the Fire Medical Response program.
The Fire Medical Response program has been rolled out across the last 12 months, with the goal to help complement Ambulance Victoria responses, strategically chosen to provide more assistance if a CFA brigade can reach a patient sooner in a time-critical situation, which includes providing CPR in a time of need.
Training was completed two weeks ago to help complete practical accreditation, with further training provided afterwards to help prepare for the program’s start.
Broadford CFA’s Rhys Trevithick said this rollout will happen next month.
“From November 12 at 4am, both Broadford and Kilmore (CFAs) will be responding to a number of priority zero calls alongside Ambulance Victoria, for cardiac arrests and the time-critical stuff,” he said.
“Between the two brigades, we have around 40 volunteers that have been specially trained in fire medical response. We are the 32nd brigade in the state to take it on, with an end total of 50 across the state.”
Mr Trevithick stressed that the CFA program was not a replacement for Ambulance Victoria but was there to provide greater support across the state system.
“It’s important to note we are not there to replace ambulances. We may arrive on-scene when you call 000 before an ambulance does, but we’re there to provide immediate assistance as soon as possible to increase patient outcomes,” he said.
“Broadford and Kilmore were identified as areas where the program could see benefits. Both brigades’ membership voted on whether we wanted to take it on, and both voted in a way that meant we were happy and willing to step up to the challenge, which was welcomed across CFA and Ambulance Victoria.”
