New call for full-time paramedics at base

No paramedics were on duty at a new combined ambulance-fire station in Bundeena, opened by Health Minister Jillian Skinner four days earlier.

Residents said a Bundeena-based officer, who lives in the town, was due to start work about an hour after the accident on Saturday, December 14, but was not called.

He was having a coffee at a Bundeena cafe, just a few minutes from the campground.

The child, who received burns to her chest, arms and back, was flown by ambulance helicopter to The Children's Hospital, Westmead, in a stable condition.

Bundeena residents, who did not wish to be named, said the case highlighted the fact the area would not be adequately covered in an emergency unless paramedics were rostered on full-time at the new station.

One resident said the paramedic who was about to start work might not have been called because it would have meant paying a call-out fee.

"In previous situations like this, the call centre would ring him and say, 'I know you're not rostered on until later this morning, but can you attend a serious incident locally?' " the resident said.

HELICOPTER ARRIVED FIRST

A NSW Ambulance Service spokesman said a triple-0 call was received at 8.15am.

‘‘The most appropriate resources were responded to this incident in line with NSW Ambulance procedures,’’ he said.

‘‘The Community First Responder (Bundeena-based Fire & Rescue NSW crew) was dispatched at 8.20am, arriving on scene at 8.49am.

‘‘NSW Ambulance paramedics were responded at 8.21am, arriving on scene at 8.52am.

‘‘Based on the information provided by the caller the NSW Ambulance helicopter with a paramedic and doctor on board was also responded at 8.28am and, given it was able to land directly on scene, was first on scene at 8.43am.”

The spokesman did not respond to questions about the overall rostering situation at the new station.

Should paramedics be rostered on 24-7 at the new Bundeena station?