A new ambulance service in the WA Pilbara town of Paraburdoo will take over operations from today.
Until now, miner Rio Tinto has supplied the town, and nearby mining operations, with ambulance services and emergency medical officers (EMOs).
A St John community paramedic was hired earlier this year and has since recruited and trained 23 volunteers to assist.
St John’s regional manager for the north-west, Will White, says the service will operate as the leading ambulance response agency from today, with help from Rio Tinto EMOs if required.
“It’s a great thing for us to have a base in Paraburdoo and it’s great for the community as well because ambulance is only a part of what we do, we will start looking at rolling out first aid training for the community,” he said.
“We have already responded to calls in Paraburdoo, we have been responding to any motor vehicle accidents as well and pretty much looking after all of the inter-hospital transfers, from Paraburdoo, to the airport and Tom Price Hospital.”
Residents are being urged to investigate ambulance insurance cover.