Emergency Services Showcase
Queensland Ambulance Service First Responders
Providing emergency care prior to the arrival of ambulance services
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is committed to providing the people of Queensland with world-class health-related transport and patient care services. QAS has entered into partnerships with local people as a strategy to better serve rural and isolated communities. The development of the First Responder service is an example of locally supported supplemented ambulance services.
Local QAS accredited First Responders fulfill a vital first link in a continuum of care for local communities in emergency situations, providing life-saving patient care until the ambulance arrives.
QAS First Responders do not replace formal ambulance service arrangements, but provide high quality, life-saving pre-hospital care in local communities. The First Responders, are local people looking after local people.
The key to the successful establishment and sustainability of a First Responder group is informed consultation to identify suitable locations and commitment from stakeholders. General governing principles include:
- remote and/or rural location;
- limited QAS presence;
- caseload (sustainability and limits);
- cost benefit analysis;
- ability of the QAS to sustain the group; and
- community sustainability and capacity.
First Responder groups are currently active in 23 communities across Queensland and encompass 194 volunteers. Another 17 communities have been identified as proposed sites for the establishment of First Responder groups.
Following are two case studies detailing the establishment of:
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