Flood affected communities across NSW are set to benefit from eight new NSW Ambulance Inflatable Rescue Boats, which will improve the organisation’s on-water flood rescue capabilities.
Minister for Health Ryan Park today visited Penrith Lakes to see the new Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) in action.
State Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, said the State Government funding plays an essential part in strengthening the foundations of NSW’s essential workforce.
“The NSW Government has provided more than $400,000 for this specialised enhancement to NSW Ambulance’s flood rescue capability, which will also free up other state emergency resources to respond in crisis situations,” she said.
“Our focus as a government is caring for NSW – ensuring we have the essential services the people of NSW rely on and providing health workers the gear they need to keep our communities safe.”
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the IRBs are a massive boost to NSW Ambulance’s on-water and flood capability and will ensure specialised paramedics can deliver the very best outcomes for patients.
“The IRBs will be an invaluable resource during natural disasters, giving paramedics greater access to patients in floods without needing to rely on other agencies, who may be equally overwhelmed during a disaster,” he said.
“NSW Ambulance is continuing to invest in assets to ensure our community receives world-class care and these new rescue boats are an important part of the state’s multi-agency capability to increase our overall state disaster resilience.”
NSW Ambulance has also invested in flood rescue vehicles and trailers, to ensure the boats can be transported across the state as needed.
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