Backing our ambos to the hilt

By JANICE HARRIS

Feb. 20, 2013, 4 a.m.

COUNCILLOR ASH BROWN: “I think this petition is important for Orange and we need the government to take notice. I voted for it and would like to see everyone in Orange get behind it so we can make a difference.”

A PETITION calling on the state government to allocate more paramedics to Orange has been circulated to all council childcare centres and at other venues.

Council spokesman Nick Redmond said business that would like a petition can download it from council’s website or call in to council offices in Byng Street.

“We also have the petition at places like the library, the art gallery and the aquatic centre,’ Mr Redmond said.

Orange City Council voted unanimously late last year to generate a petition in the city as a response to concerns by the union representing paramedics in Orange.

Get behind the push for more paramedics in #Orange in a petition launched by @orangecitycounc yesterday bit.ly/VBoGjr
— NSW Central West (@FairfaxNSWwest) February 18, 2013

Paramedics originally met with the Orange mayor John Davis to express their concerns Orange only had one rostered ambulance working at night, with an on call ambulance on standby with paramedics who had already worked a full day shift potentially working through the night to respond to calls.

However the campaign was ramped up when councillor Glenn Taylor made public his experience in having to wait too long for an ambulance to attend his seriously ill daughter who collapsed at home.

Cr Taylor said it is crucial to get 10,000 signatures on the petition.

“Once we have that number it has to be debated in Parliament and hopefully the government will sit up and take notice,’ he said.

Cr Taylor said paramedic numbers are virtually the same as they were in Orange two decades ago and a significant increase is needed to keep pace with the growing population.

Have you had to wait too long for an ambulance? Call Janice Harris on 63 912 915 or email janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au