Coffs Harbour residents will be able to meet their local paramedics face to face next week, with the city’s ambulance station one of only eight across New South Wales opening to the public for NSW Ambulance Appreciation Day.
The station at 62 Marcia Street will welcome visitors from 11am to 2pm on Friday, 18 September. Community members will be able to meet local crews, tour the station, learn more about ambulance operations and personally thank staff for the care they provide.
Visitors can also take part in hands-on CPR demonstrations, explore interactive displays, and get a close-up look inside NSW Ambulance’s state-of-the-art emergency vehicles. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
“NSW Ambulance staff are there for our communities every hour of every day, delivering expert emergency and mobile healthcare in some of the most challenging circumstances,” said Minister for Health Ryan Park.
Coffs Harbour is the northernmost of the eight stations taking part. The others are Blacktown, Camden, Central Sydney at Forest Lodge, Hamlyn Terrace on the Central Coast, Mudgee, Dungog and Fairy Meadow at North Wollongong.
The open day is also a chance for the public to put faces to a service most people only encounter on their worst days.
“NSW Ambulance Appreciation Day is an opportunity for the public to meet the people behind the uniforms and personally thank them for the care, compassion and reassurance they provide to families across NSW,” said Minister Park.
Staff who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to their communities will also be recognised, with Certificates of Appreciation to be announced on the day.
NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech said the day was about the bond between crews and the towns and suburbs they work in.
“The relationship between NSW Ambulance and the communities we serve is built on trust, and NSW Ambulance Appreciation Day is a chance to celebrate that connection,” said Ms Beech.
“We know how much our staff value the support of their local communities. Opening our station doors provides an opportunity to meet the people behind the service, learn more about what we do, and recognise the dedication of our crews,” said Ms Beech.
“Our paramedics and ambulance staff earn the trust and respect of the communities they serve every day, and this event is a wonderful way for that appreciation to be shared,” said Minister Park.
More information about the service is available at www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au.
“I look forward to attending the day at Blacktown Ambulance Station to meet with the community and acknowledge the extraordinary commitment of our people, who continue to deliver exceptional care and support to patients across the state every day,” said Ms Beech.
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