Ambulance Victoria’s Gippsland first responders came together last weekend for a two-day, hands-on event focused on connection, collaboration, and enhancing their lifesaving skills.
Held at the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) on May 30 and 31, the Gippsland First Responder Conference brought together Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs) from across the region.
CERTs and ACOs play an integral role in supporting Ambulance Victoria’s emergency medical response in rural and remote communities, often arriving on scene first due to living in the areas they serve.
Ambulance Victoria CERTs are volunteer first responders trained to provide early assistance and lifesaving first aid intervention in emergencies. They respond to incidents requiring emergency care but do not transport patients to hospital. ACOs are first responders employed by Ambulance Victoria on a casual basis to work on-call in rural and remote communities to provide advanced first aid to patients and transport them to hospital.
The conference featured simulation-based training scenarios, including emergency childbirth and neonatal resuscitation, alongside clinical excellence presentations and interactive workshops designed to sharpen skills and empower Gippsland’s first responders. It also provided a valuable opportunity for CERTs and ACOs to connect with those from other towns, share experiences, and learn from each other.
“Our first responders provide the human connection between the community and the health system and play a crucial role in helping us deliver best care to our rural and remote Gippsland communities,” Gippsland Director of Regional and Clinical Operations Ross Salathiel said.
“The conference provides a platform for building relationships with other teams and offers additional training above what is already provided as part of the first responder training program.
“We have a dedicated team of passionate first responders here in Gippsland, and it’s inspiring to be surrounded by so many people committed to making a positive difference in the health outcomes of their community.”
The Gippsland First Responder Conference is the second in a series of four regional events to be held throughout the year, reinforcing Ambulance Victoria’s commitment to supporting and developing its first responders.
For more information on becoming a first responder with Ambulance Victoria, residents can visit the careers section of the Ambulance Victoria website.
