New AV branch for Trentham

March 1, 2024 | in News

The Trentham community will get its first ambulance branch in 2024 in a major upgrade to the local ambulance service.

Ambulance Victoria (AV) Grampians Regional Director Peter Jenkins said works to renovate and transform a warehouse in Trentham into the town’s new Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) branch were expected to start soon.

Ambulance Victoria paramedics, CERT volunteers, and property staff standing in front of the new Trentham branch

(L-R): Kristine Schiffter, Property Development Manager, Corporate Services, Ambulance Victoria, David Arnold, CERT volunteer, Kim Moiler, CERT volunteer, Vince Sabatino, Managing Director, Sabatino Constructions, Christopher Meulblok, Senior Manager Property Services, Corporate Services, Ambulance Victoria, Mynette Sundblom, CERT volunteer, Aliesha Robertson, Area Manager, Ambulance Victoria, Peter Jenkins, Grampians Regional Director, Ambulance Victoria.

ACOs are locally based first responders trained to provide advanced first aid in small rural and remote communities.

These officers are dispatched at the same time as paramedics to a Triple Zero (000) call. Due to their location and proximity to the local community they serve, they help provide the fastest response possible.

“Since 2020, Trentham has been served by dedicated volunteer members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT),” Mr Jenkins said.

“This new facility means the local Trentham ambulance service would be upgraded from a CERT to an ACO branch with higher trained first responders.

“It will make it easier to recruit more local members and expand the team to meet increasing demand.

“While CERT volunteers presently use a four-wheel drive vehicle, the ACO branch will be home to a new ambulance stretcher vehicle that can transport patients, which in turn frees up other ambulance crews in the region.”

Mr Jenkins said the Trentham CERT volunteers will all be offered positions within the new ACO team and continue to play an important role in supporting local paramedics to deliver the very best emergency care when the new branch becomes operation later this year.

Sabatino Constructions was selected to construct the branch at 3-9 Station Street, following an open tender process.

The works will involve renovations to house one ambulance vehicle, a training room, kitchen, bathroom and rest and recline areas, as well as security upgrades and car parking.