Ambulance Victoria is on the hunt for first responders to provide lifesaving care across the Maldon region.
New team members are currently being sought to bolster Maldon’s Community Emergency Response Team team, which services Maldon, Nuggety, Welshmans Reef and surrounds.
Maldon CERT trainer Kelli Jones said CERTs provided a vital service for rural communities.
“Our first responders are dispatched at the same time as an ambulance but due to their location, they will often arrive before the ambulance does,” Ms Jones said.
“Being first on scene, they perform initial patient assessment and give lifesaving care such as CPR before handing over to paramedics.”
Maldon CERT currently has six members sharing the roster and aims to boost their numbers up to 16 to share the load.
Ms Jones said new first responders were needed ahead of what was expected to be a very busy summer.
“While the area’s population is small, the area swells during holidays and weekends and we’re expecting many visitors to our beautiful region,” she said.
Annette Gilham has been a member of Maldon CERT for five years and said it was a highly rewarding experience.
“You get incredible satisfaction from helping people in our community when they’re at their most vulnerable,” she said.
Fellow Maldon CERT member Cara Derbyshire agreed.
“In particular, in the case of emergencies such as cardiac arrest, respiratory issues and anaphylaxis, a quick response is vital,” she said.
CERT first responders work across more than 100 locations in rural Victoria, including Trentham in the Macedon Ranges, attending a variety of emergency situations.
Applicants must be aged over 18 and available for a minimum of 20 hours per month. You must live within 10km of Maldon to become a CERT member. Contact Kelli for more details on 0447 686 558.
