Communities impacted by floods are set to benefit from an additional boost to the NSW Ambulance flood rescue fleet, with eight new patient extrication vessels being rolled out for use across the state.
The seven-metre aluminium utility boats, with bow-loader for patient access can hold up to seven people, giving NSW Ambulance greater capability to deliver care to patients in areas impacted by floods.
The vessels come complete with twin 60 horsepower outboard engines for rapid response in hazardous environments.
The benefits of these larger boats include patient rescue from isolated areas, on-water rescue and ability to transport specialised clinicians, such as doctors and extended care paramedics, to communities that are isolated due to floods.
Supplies and medical equipment can also be transported by the vessels, which were built in Yamba on the NSW north coast.
Over the coming months, Special Operations Unit paramedics will continue specialised training to operate the new boats, which will be progressively rolled out to regional heavy rescue stations across the state including Tamworth, Rutherford, Cowra, Wagga Wagga and Bomaderry as well as at the Special Operation Team locations of Point Clare and Sydney.
The eight new vessels are designed to be a statewide asset in emergency responses and will be deployed to areas of need as required.
