Local committee with emphasis on pre-ambulance care calls for volunteers

A volunteer committee that forms an important link between ambulance services and the community is hoping to “reinvigorate” itself on the Sunshine Coast.

Local ambulance committees, or LACs, are an arm of the Queensland Ambulance Service, supporting it in a variety of operational and community roles.

In Queensland there are about 150 active committees and 1600 volunteers that promote education, funding and awareness of ambulance services, plus provide CPR courses.

The Buderim LAC is currently seeking new volunteers to re-establish its membership numbers and keep the program operating at its full capacity.

As president of the Nambour LAC and Sunshine Coast district LAC representative, Gary Langford said the long-standing Buderim LAC was ready for a new lease on life.

“It’s time to give it a reboot,” Mr Langford said.

“Buderim LAC has been around for a long time and we are reinvigorating it with new members.

“We are hoping to introduce members of the public and interested people into the workings of the LAC.”

Mr Langford said volunteers would mostly undertake roles helping deliver CPR and defibrillator training, as well as pre-ambulance education.

“Ambulance services take care of pre-hospital care but if a member of the public happens to witness something like a person having a cardiac arrest, it’s important to know what to do,” he said.

“We educate senior citizens, service clubs, community and sporting organisations all about CPR.

“We also educate school students about CPR, how to ring triple zero and to know their address properly so they know what to do if something happens to mum or dad while they are at home.”

Mr Langford said LACs also fundraise to help purchase extra equipment, particularly training mannequins and defibrillators.

To re-establish membership of the Buderim LAC, a special general meeting will be held on April 15 at the Buderim War Memorial Hall at 3pm.

Residents over the age of 18 can attend to find out more and check they meet the eligibility criteria. For more information contact Mr Langford on 0412 348 533 or gary.langford1@lac.ambulance.qld.gov.au.