The ACT government will spend $15.2 million to overhaul and boost the territory's ambulance service, including adding extra staff and reducing the fleet's emissions.
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The funding, which will be included in the upcoming ACT budget, will cover extra positions within the service, including paramedic duty officers and staff in the triple zero communication centre.
Five new low-emissions vehicles will be added to the ambulance service's fleet, and an infection control officer will be appointed.
The government expects the funding boost will be the start of a new service model or ambulance responses, which is expected to improve the triple-zero triage process.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman said the funding would build on ongoing improvements, which had been rolled out in consultation with staff, the Transport Workers Union and the Emergency Services Agency.
"Bolstering behind-the-scenes capabilities helps paramedics on the road and ensures Canberrans continue to receive high quality service in some of their most difficult times," Mr Gentleman said.
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"I want to thank all our emergency services staff who do a wonderful job looking after Canberrans, often in challenging circumstances."
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said in a statement announcing the funding emergency services were an essential tool to keep the community safe.
An upgrade of ACT ambulances was completed last year, as part of a previous $14.3 million commitment that also added 30 extra paramedics to the service.
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Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
