Boost for Helimed One

Helimed One and road ambulances in Gippsland will now be able to establish closer links during emergencies, thanks to the Helimed One Auxiliary.

The Auxiliary has donated 16 portable Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) units to Rural Ambulance Victoria branches throughout Gippsland, where crews may be required to work in remote areas.

Helimed One MICA Paramedic Terry Houge said the units will enable ambulance paramedics or community ambulance officers to accurately establish their physical location by latitude and longitude and provide the coordinates to Helimed One.

Mr. Houge said the navigational information would enable Helimed One to quickly locate the ground crew, even when they were in remote bush with heavy tree cover and not easily visible from the air.

‘In the past, forest cover could make locating an ambulance on the ground extremely difficult but the GPS units should enable us to more quickly link up with paramedics on the ground.’

‘This will certainly increase the chances of a positive outcome for the patient.’

Mr. Houge said the GPS units, valued at $300 each, were being delivered to branches throughout Gippsland, including Heyfield, Maffra, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Omeo, Orbost, Cann River and Mallacoota and the Gelantipy and Dargo Bush Nurses.

‘The Helimed One Auxiliary raise funds from throughout the Gippsland region and this project allows us to improve our service to the community.’