NSW Ambulance has unveiled its specially designed Hazardous Area Rescue Ambulances (HARA). Photo: NSW Ambulance.
Wagga Wagga will be one of several heavy rescue stations for NSW Ambulance specially designed Hazardous Area Rescue Ambulance (HARA) vehicles to deliver medical care during natural disasters and across difficult terrain.
The HARA Mercedes-Benz Unimog vehicles are the first of their kind in the world and are part of a $14.8 million funding package to boost the state’s flood rescue capabilities.
“I’m so pleased our ambulance service will be the first in the world to get these vehicles,” Health Minister Ryan Park said.
“These high-tech vehicles will mean our world-class clinicians will be even better prepared for any scenario they face – which could include floods or bushfires.
“Once they’re rolled out, these vehicles will be an invaluable addition to NSW Ambulance.”
The HARAs will be rolled out over the coming months, with Wagga Wagga, Bomaderry, Tamworth, Rutherford and Cowra nominated as NSW Ambulance heavy rescue stations as well as special operation team locations in Point Clare and Sydney.
Health Minister Ryan Park and Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart with the new HARA fleet. Photo: Supplied.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the specialist capabilities of the HARAs would be a huge benefit to the community.
“The HARA vehicles are the first of their kind and an essential addition to our fleet, giving clinicians greater access to patients during natural disasters, such as in fire grounds and floods,” he said.
“The 4WD vehicles will be operated by our highly trained special operations paramedics and have been specifically modified by NSW Ambulance to withstand harsh environments.”
The HARAs have specialist safety features for operation in hazardous environments and can drive through flood waters up to 1.2 metres deep.
Enhanced safety features include a reinforced exoskeleton to protect paramedics and patients from falling trees, and the vehicles have also been adapted to operate under bushfire conditions.
Modifications include a burn-over crew protection system, with potentially flammable components replaced and critical vehicle infrastructure wrapped in fire-retardant material.
The HARAs are fully operational ambulances, with a specially designed stretcher-loading system to overcome the additional height of the vehicle and to assist paramedics in patient handling and safety.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) introduced its own version of the customised, high-clearance Unimog emergency response vehicles in 2022.
The vehicles have already proved a handy addition, assisting in flood rescues, evacuations and in delivering logistical and material support to isolated communities.
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