New graduates are set to join Ambulance Victoria's Wangaratta station amid a rising winter demand across the state. Ambulance Victoria chief executive officer Jordan Emery welcomed 59 new graduate ambulance paramedics to the ranks, 17 of whom will be headed to the Hume region. There will be three recruits stationed at Wodonga, while Wangaratta, Benalla, Cobram, Yarrawonga and Mansfield will each welcome two new graduates. “We now have more than 5500 on-road paramedics delivering the very best life-saving care, everywhere, and it’s great to see more joining our ranks," Mr Emery said. He said the health system was extremely busy as seasonal illness circulates within our communities. “Demand on our crews is increasing, as usual, at this time of year and will likely remain heightened in the coming months as cases of the flu and other respiratory viruses stay high,” Mr Emery said. “We always plan ahead to meet extra winter demand – and that’s why we bring forward our first intake of new recruits for the financial year. “As we hit the middle of winter, we also urge all Victorians to do their part to help reduce demand and ensure our highly skilled paramedics are available for the sickest patients. “There are many options people can access when they need timely medical care and health advice but don’t need an emergency ambulance, including the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) and Urgent Care Centres.” Having completed their university degree, all new graduates start at AV with a comprehensive four-week induction and training program giving them the ‘real world’ skills they need to hit the road alongside experienced paramedics. During this induction, recruits learn vital skills such as safely moving and loading patients to prevent injuries, aggression and assault prevention, and safely driving ambulance vehicles.
