The meeting will seek to determine if there is enough interest from the community to establish a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) service in the town.
These teams are operated by trained volunteers who will undertake special training and be equipped by NSW Ambulance to improve health outcomes of patients in regional and rural locations in NSW.
The aim of the team is to provide early clinical intervention, which can make a significant difference before paramedics arrive.
The development a local CERT has been proposed as the campaign to have a fully staffed NSW Ambulance station established in Berrigan.
NSW Ambulance representatives from Sydney will be in attendance to provide information and answer any questions the community may have regarding its operation.
The meeting will be held at the Tocumwal War Memorial Hall on September 26, starting 6.30pm.
The Tocumwal Ambulance Steering Committee has been campaigning for a full ambulance service for Tocumwal over a number of years, with Berrigan Shire Council joining them in the fight.
Locals have long argued that as the growth centre of Berrigan Shire, and a community which doubles in size during peak tourism periods, Tocumwal requires its own ambulance service and paramedics.
Currently, the community relies on paramedics from surrounding communities like Finley and Berrigan.
Tocumwal’s NSW Fire + Rescue firefighters have been trained as first responders to provide emergency response.
While valued, locals believe the community requires both services.
But with NSW Ambulance suggesting Tocumwal was “not identified as a priority location, relative to other areas in service planning completed by New South Wales Ambulance in 2023”, the short-term option of a CERT was discussed when its representatives last came to Tocumwal.
Newly re-elected Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean said this proposed service would be a “step in the right direction” while efforts to secure the community’s primary goal continue.
“I stress that this is not the end of the road in campaigning for an ambulance station for Tocumwal, but this is an important step in ramping up the services we have available to us,” she said.
“This meeting is an opportunity for the community to really understand this option, and what it means for our community.
“We’ve done the heavy lifting to get us to where we are, and now we need the community to tell us what to do next.
“There have been quite a few questions from community members - people are definitely curious.
“Some concerns have been expressed about first responders, but this team will work side by side with our existing first responders.
“After Thursday, we will have more of an idea of the interest in moving ahead with this option.”
Those intending to participate in the meeting are asked to RSVP, for catering purposes, to ambo4toc@berriganshire.nsw.gov.au or phone the Berrigan Shire Council on 5888 5100. Walk-ins are also very welcome.
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