They don’t call Canberra the ‘Bush Capital’ for nothing, with rugged terrain surrounding the city.
While the scenery around the Australian Capital Territory is beautiful, it can also be dangerous – not only for those who get hurt or lost but also for those tasked with helping them, with searing heat in summer and sub-zero temperatures in winter.
That’s why the ACT Ambulance Service has turned to the Nissan Patrol as the latest recruit for its Remote Area Paramedic (RAP) team.
Based on the Y62-generation Patrol, this 5.6-litre V8-powered 4×4 has been kitted out to not only access remote areas, but to carry medical and survival equipment to sustain paramedics and patients for up to 36 hours.
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Off-road specific features include a Raslarr front bull bar with a Carbon Winch and an LED light bar; a Tracklander roof rack system; a Safari snorkel; and knobbly off-road tyres.
Inside, it’s been fitted with provisions for a stretcher, oxygen and a defibrillator, as well as other essentials required to help injured members of the public.
“When it comes to the urban environment around Canberra, the built-up roads and streets, we’ve got a very good capability to provide our service there,” said Joel Powell, Project Manager in Transformation and Capability Development, in a media statement.
“But when we get outside of that, even up in closer areas like the Brindabella Mountains, there’s some environments and topography that make things difficult.
“The Remote Area Paramedic team has been trained to access, treat, and extricate patients from areas that normal two-wheel-drive vehicles can’t reach.”
To become a member of the RAP team, paramedics must have the skills to work in traditional roles but then undergo specialised training to handle extreme conditions in remote areas.
According to Mr Powell, the gear the Patrol holds is replenished once completing each recovery.
“Once the mission is complete, the gear is exhausted and needs replenishing,” he said.
“So, our paramedics must be resourceful and prepare for the unexpected.”
The Nissan Patrol isn’t the only big 4×4 in the ACT Emergency Services fleet, with a number of 200 Series Toyota LandCruisers used by police in the same remote areas.
Up north in Queensland, the Sunshine State last year rolled out the new 300 Series to District Duty Officers (DDOs) statewide, all finished in a unique silver wrap.
