Flood affected communities across NSW are set to benefit from eight new NSW Ambulance Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs), which will improve the organisation’s on-water flood rescue capabilities.

Minister for Health Ryan Park today visited Penrith Lakes to see the new IRBs in action.

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown says the funding plays an essential part in strengthening the foundations of NSW’s essential workforce.

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the IRBs are a massive boost to NSW Ambulance’s on-water and flood capability and will ensure specialised paramedics can deliver the very best outcomes for patients.

NSW Ambulance has also invested in flood rescue vehicles and trailers, to ensure the boats can be transported across the state as needed.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“For the first time, NSW Ambulance now has dedicated inflatable rescue boats, allowing special operations teams to respond faster and deliver urgent health care to patients in need, whether that be generally on water or during floods.

“When we invest in specialised equipment like these rescue boats, we allow our incredible workforce to deliver improved healthcare, building stronger communities in NSW.”

Quotes attributed to Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown:

“The NSW Government has provided more than $400,000 for this specialised enhancement to NSW Ambulance’s flood rescue capability, which will also free up other state emergency resources to respond in crisis situations.

“Our focus as a government is caring for NSW – ensuring we have the essential services the people of NSW rely on and providing health workers the gear they need to keep our communities safe.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

“The IRBs will be an invaluable resource during natural disasters, giving paramedics greater access to patients in floods without needing to rely on other agencies, who may be equally overwhelmed during a disaster.

“NSW Ambulance is continuing to invest in assets to ensure our community receives world-class care and these new rescue boats are an important part of the state’s multi-agency capability to increase our overall state disaster resilience.”