New ambulance depot combines services

Bunbury will have a new ambulance and depot early next year after St John Ambulance secured a new East Bunbury location.

The new depot on Denning Road will cater for a booming population that is currently relying on the Bunbury, Australind and Harvey ambulance services.

Unlike the Bunbury ambulance station, which is manned by paramedics, the new East Bunbury depot will be a hybrid, relying on a combination of paramedics and volunteers.

In the last year the Bunbury ambulance responded to 5195 call outs, making it the busiest sub centre staffed by paramedics in the State.

St John Ambulance regional manager Ian Mumford said the new sub centre was positioned to ensure the ambulance provider could maintain its 15-minute response time within a 10km catchment.

With the Bunbury sub centre operating from Bussell Highway and an Australind service able to service the northern parts of the city Mr Mumford said an ambulance operating from East Bunbury would fill a potential gap.

"The new depot is going to provide greater coverage for Bunbury and the South West but we need the people on the ground to make sure we can turn out for every ambulance job," he said.

The East Bunbury ambulance depot will operate during the day and early evening.

The location was chosen for strategic reasons – its proximity to arterial roads and residential properties.

It is expected to be operating by January next year, dependant on planning approvals.

"We already provide a world-class ambulance service to the South West," Mr Mumford said.

"But to keep doing that we need to invest in depots, emergency ambulances and most importantly, volunteer ambulance officers."

Mr Mumford said the new sub centre would need an extra 30 volunteers to work alongside paramedics to maintain a seven-day service.

"This will give people an opportunity to volunteer in Bunbury," he said.

"Our volunteers are invaluable to the local communities.

"Volunteering with St John Ambulance offers an incredible experience."

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