Australian Capital Territory Ambulance Service
Encyclopedia
The Australian Capital Territory Ambulance Service (ACTAS) is responsible for providing emergency and non-emergency ambulance services to the ACT
community. Although existing since 1955 it was established in legilsation by the Emergencies Act 2004 (ACT).
In 2005 ACTAS celebrated its 50th Anniversary of service to the ACT community. In 1955 the Canberra Ambulance Service was formally established as a separate entity and is the predecessor to the organisation that exists today. From 1935-1955 the provision of ambulance services was done by members of the Fire Service. Prior to that volunteer drivers from the Transport Section of the Department of the Interior drove the ambulance, a Model "T" Ford.
. The Canberra Fire & Ambulance Service was administered by the Department of the Interior. Fire officers who held first aid certificates could be rostered for ambulance duties, for which they donned white dust coats and changed caps and were paid an additional allowance (five shillings).
After formation of the Hospital Board in November 1935 the Ambulance Service was placed under the Board's administration, although remained located with the Fire Brigade. The Board conferred on Mr P. F. Douglas the designation of Chief Ambulance Officer.
In 1939 the combined service transferred to the new Fire Station in Empire Circuit, Forrest
, close to the Manuka Football Club.
The Hospital Board resolved in November 1942 (during the war years) that ambulance vehicles would not be permitted to undertake long trips outside the Territory.
In 1955 Mr C. Holdom was appointed as the new fire chief, and he objected strongly to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior about having to carry out ambulance duties.
The commencing salary of an ambulance officer in 1955 was £738.00 pre annum (£14.0.9 per week). The Superintendent was given free housing, fuel, light, power and a telephone and officers could get accommodation at the Acton Guest House for £5.0.6 per week.
The service operated from an ex-fireman's house at 27 Manuka Circle, from where officers had to run 50 yards down a lane to the fire station to get their vehicles. Ambulances in use at the time consisted of two Humber Super Snipes and a Buick and were considered fully equipped with their carry stretcher, oxygen bottle and mask, splints and bandages.
In the early 1960s it was reported that the Ambulance Service also provided services within the hospital, including the transport of patients from ward to ward or from ward to hospital department. Officers also undertook administrative duties during quiet periods, including courier duties to/from the blood bank, railway station, airways and post office.
The ambulance fleet consisted of four specific ambulance wagons, which were equipped with two-way radio equipment. Staffing had increased to: 1 Superintendent, 1 Station Officer and 12 trained ambulance officers.
In July 1967 the first specific purpose ambulance station
was built in Griffith
. In February 1968 the Ambulance Service was removed from the Royal Canberra Hospital site and from Hospital Board administration and became a unit of ACT Health Services.
. It was at this time that the service became known as the ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS).
As Canberra grew, new stations were opened in Phillip
(1970) and Belconnen
(1973).
In 1985 the ACT Ambulance Service had 56 staff (including 1 Superintendent and 10 Station Officers) and a fleet of 12 ambulance vehicles. Ambulance Officers were trained in Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills and drove modular Ford F100 ambulances.
Like most Australian state/territory ambulance services, the ACTAS emergency ambulance fleet is based on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van. Previously, GMC and Ford F-250 light truck chassis with a fiberglass module were used.
ACTAS PTS vehicles are also based on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van. PTS vehicles are used for non-emergency transport and can be used in dual-stretcher or single stretcher and seated configurations.
ACTAS uses a mix of Holden Commodore, Ford Territory AWD and Subaru Outback AWD vehicles for rapid response of a single Intensive Care Paramedic or Ambulance Supervisor.
The ACTAS 4WD ambulance is based on a Toyota Landcruiser chassis.
A larger (416 series) Mercedes Benz van used to provide support at public events and major incidents.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
community. Although existing since 1955 it was established in legilsation by the Emergencies Act 2004 (ACT).
In 2005 ACTAS celebrated its 50th Anniversary of service to the ACT community. In 1955 the Canberra Ambulance Service was formally established as a separate entity and is the predecessor to the organisation that exists today. From 1935-1955 the provision of ambulance services was done by members of the Fire Service. Prior to that volunteer drivers from the Transport Section of the Department of the Interior drove the ambulance, a Model "T" Ford.
1913-35: Volunteers from the Transport Section, Department of the Interior
Medical Officer for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr R M Thomson trained volunteers from work camps in basic first aid. A vehicle from Transport Section was provided when required to transport sick or injured workmen. The ambulance service in Canberra in the 1920s comprised a sole ambulance vehicle, a "T" model Ford, which was stored in the timber yard adjacent to the Kingston Power House.1935-55: The Canberra Fire & Ambulance Service
In 1935 the Ambulance Service was amalgamated with the newly formed Fire Service and continued to be based at the transport section at KingstonKingston, Australian Capital Territory
Kingston is the oldest and most densely populated suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. The suburb is named after Charles Cameron Kingston, the former Premier of South Australia and minister in the first Australian Commonwealth Government. It is adjacent to the suburbs of...
. The Canberra Fire & Ambulance Service was administered by the Department of the Interior. Fire officers who held first aid certificates could be rostered for ambulance duties, for which they donned white dust coats and changed caps and were paid an additional allowance (five shillings).
After formation of the Hospital Board in November 1935 the Ambulance Service was placed under the Board's administration, although remained located with the Fire Brigade. The Board conferred on Mr P. F. Douglas the designation of Chief Ambulance Officer.
In 1939 the combined service transferred to the new Fire Station in Empire Circuit, Forrest
Forrest, Australian Capital Territory
Forrest is a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Forrest is named after Sir John Forrest, an explorer, legislator, Federalist, premier of Western Australia, and one of the fathers of the Australian Constitution...
, close to the Manuka Football Club.
The Hospital Board resolved in November 1942 (during the war years) that ambulance vehicles would not be permitted to undertake long trips outside the Territory.
In 1955 Mr C. Holdom was appointed as the new fire chief, and he objected strongly to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior about having to carry out ambulance duties.
1955-68: The Canberra Ambulance Service
On the 10th of October 1955 the Canberra Ambulance Service was established as a separate organisation with a staff of seven, consisting of a Superintendent and six ambulance officers. The original seven members of the service were:- Superintendent Alf Grant
- M. Anderson
- N. Webster
- M. Bradley
- J. Blomfield
- G. Leach
- G. Harris
The commencing salary of an ambulance officer in 1955 was £738.00 pre annum (£14.0.9 per week). The Superintendent was given free housing, fuel, light, power and a telephone and officers could get accommodation at the Acton Guest House for £5.0.6 per week.
The service operated from an ex-fireman's house at 27 Manuka Circle, from where officers had to run 50 yards down a lane to the fire station to get their vehicles. Ambulances in use at the time consisted of two Humber Super Snipes and a Buick and were considered fully equipped with their carry stretcher, oxygen bottle and mask, splints and bandages.
In the early 1960s it was reported that the Ambulance Service also provided services within the hospital, including the transport of patients from ward to ward or from ward to hospital department. Officers also undertook administrative duties during quiet periods, including courier duties to/from the blood bank, railway station, airways and post office.
The ambulance fleet consisted of four specific ambulance wagons, which were equipped with two-way radio equipment. Staffing had increased to: 1 Superintendent, 1 Station Officer and 12 trained ambulance officers.
In July 1967 the first specific purpose ambulance station
Ambulance station
An ambulance station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of ambulance vehicles, medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies. Most stations are made up of garage bays or a parking area, normally undercover...
was built in Griffith
Griffith, Australian Capital Territory
Griffith is an early inner-south suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Griffith is named after Sir Samuel Griffith, who was chosen in 1903 as the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and retained his position until retirement in 1919...
. In February 1968 the Ambulance Service was removed from the Royal Canberra Hospital site and from Hospital Board administration and became a unit of ACT Health Services.
1968-85: The ACT Ambulance Service
On February 15, 1968, the service came under the ACT Health Services and moved into a new headquarters at DicksonDickson, Australian Capital Territory
Dickson is a suburb in the Inner North of Canberra, Australia. It is named after Sir James Dickson who was a Queensland advocate of Australian Federation and one of the founders of the Australian Constitution...
. It was at this time that the service became known as the ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS).
As Canberra grew, new stations were opened in Phillip
Phillip, Australian Capital Territory
Phillip is a suburb of Canberra, Australia in the district of Woden Valley. It is located in the centre of the district and contains the district's main commercial centre, Woden Town Centre. The suburb is named after Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales. The suburb name was...
(1970) and Belconnen
Belconnen
Belconnen is a district of Canberra, the capital city of Australia, comprising 25 suburbs with 29,900 dwellings housing 82,247 people of the 311,518 people in the Australian Capital Territory ....
(1973).
In 1985 the ACT Ambulance Service had 56 staff (including 1 Superintendent and 10 Station Officers) and a fleet of 12 ambulance vehicles. Ambulance Officers were trained in Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills and drove modular Ford F100 ambulances.
Ambulance Fleet
- Emergency (Intensive Care) Ambulances
Like most Australian state/territory ambulance services, the ACTAS emergency ambulance fleet is based on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van. Previously, GMC and Ford F-250 light truck chassis with a fiberglass module were used.
- Patient Transport Service (PTS)
ACTAS PTS vehicles are also based on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van. PTS vehicles are used for non-emergency transport and can be used in dual-stretcher or single stretcher and seated configurations.
- Single Officer Response Units (SRU) & Operational Command Vehicles
ACTAS uses a mix of Holden Commodore, Ford Territory AWD and Subaru Outback AWD vehicles for rapid response of a single Intensive Care Paramedic or Ambulance Supervisor.
- 4WD Ambulance
The ACTAS 4WD ambulance is based on a Toyota Landcruiser chassis.
- Operational Support Unit (OSU)
A larger (416 series) Mercedes Benz van used to provide support at public events and major incidents.
Chief Officers
- 1955-1968 Mr Alfred Grant
- 1968-1979 Mr George Harris
- 1979 - 1983 Mr Milton Anderson
- 1984 - 1987 Mr Brodie Deans
- 1987 - 1988 Mr Peter Noakes
- 1988 - ? Mr Noel Gillard
- 1993 - 2006 Mr Ken Paulsen PSMPublic Service Medal (Australia)The Public Service Medal is a civil decoration awarded to Australian public servants for outstanding service. The PSM was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial awards discontinued in 1975, supplementing the Order of Australia introduced that same year...
ASMAmbulance Service Medal (Australia)The Ambulance Service Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian ambulance service. The ASM was introduced in 1999.Awards are made by the Governor-General, on the nomination of the responsible minister in each state and territory... - 2006 - present Mr David Foot ASMAmbulance Service Medal (Australia)The Ambulance Service Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian ambulance service. The ASM was introduced in 1999.Awards are made by the Governor-General, on the nomination of the responsible minister in each state and territory...
See also
- Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services AgencyAustralian Capital Territory Emergency Services AgencyThe Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency was established by the Emergencies Act 2004 , which came into effect on 1 July 2004...
- Paramedics in AustraliaParamedics in AustraliaA paramedic in Australia is a health care professional who responds to and treats all types of medical and trauma emergencies outside of a hospital setting before and during transportation to an appropriate medical facility...