Welcome to the Volunteer Ambulance Officers Association of Tasmania website. Whether you are a long-standing member of the association, a new volunteer or someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer ambulance officer, we hope you will find the site full of useful information.
Making a difference ...Tasmania's 500+ volunteer ambulance officers.
Latest issue of First Response now available online
July 22 2010
The latest issue of First Response, the quarterly newsletter published by the Volunteer Ambulance Officers Association is now available on the VAOAT website.
Click here to download the new issue (Vol 15 No 1 August 2010) or you can download this and many previous issues from the Newletters page on the VAOAT website.
[read more]
Training and accreditation survey for VAOs
June 18 2010
The Volunteer Ambulance Officers Association of Tasmania wants to here your views as a volunteer ambulance officer about training and accreditation. [Survey closed July 28th -- results in next issue of First Response].
For the last 10 years, Ambulance Tasmania has offered a Certificate IV in Basic Emergency Care from the AQTF Health Training Package. In July 2009, the Service was required to discontinue issuing this qualification and apply for accreditation to offer a new ... [read more]
VAOAT receives funding boost for King Island "Gathering"
June 17 2010
The Volunteer Ambulance Officers Association of Tasmania has received $50,000 from the Premier, David Bartlett, to host a Gathering on King Island in May 2011.
VAOAT President, Pam Fanning who is part of the organising committee for the event on King Island said the Association was extremely grateful to the government and the recognition this contribution gives to volunteer ambulance officers who work in remote regions of the state. ... [read more]
Volunteers who have community at heart
May 27 2010 (The Mercury)
It was an ordinary day in the office for Telstra project manager Colin Partridge.
That was until a woman ran into his office yelling for help because a man had been hit by a Metro bus outside in Collins St
Mr Partridge ran to assist the seriously injured man, and was able to clear his airways and keep him stable until an ambulance arrived.
It's times like this that the 34-year-old is thankful he trained as a volunteer ambulance officer in his ... [read more]
Nominate NOW for prestigious Awards!
May 19 2010 (Awards Australia)
The Community Achievement Awards have been launched!
A state-wide search has now begun for our outstanding, inspirational and high achieving individuals, volunteers, businesses, achievers with a disability, Primary Industries, environmental initiatives and community groups who are involved in serving their community and making our State a better place to live.
We invite you to nominate, or alternatively nominate someone you know that deserves recognition ... [read more]
Reward for 16 years of help
May 07 2010 (The Mercury)
BEING a volunteer ambulance officer is a tough job but, in remote communities, somebody has to do it.
In Wayatinah that includes Brian "Knocka" Knowles and his wife Vicki.
Mr Knowles, 55, today collects an Ambulance Service Medal after 16 years of service.
"It's giving something back to the community," he said of the 24-hours-a-day seven-days-a-week job.
Mr Knowles shares the workload with his wife and other Wayatinah residents ... [read more]
UPCOMING EVENTS
19-21 November 2010
Coles Bay Gathering
Set aside the weekend of November 19th-21st and plan to be in Coles Bay for the next VAOAT "Gathering". Online registration available soon!
12-17 May 2011
King Island Gathering
With the receipt of state government funding for the event, the VAOAT "Gathering" for King Island is back on. The Gathering will run over four days between May 12th and May 17th 2011. Due to flight capacity restrictions, attendees may have to arrive one or two days early or stay one or two days after the formal program program concludes. More details later this year.
1WHERE WE WORK
There are 23 ambulance stations in Tasmania staffed only by volunteers.
Volunteers are an integral part of the Tasmanian Ambulance Service, especially in rural communities.
2WHAT WE DO
It's not difficult and there's lots of training and support.
Volunteers assist in many ways including first-response to medical emergencies, patient care, assisting paramedics and transporting people to hospital.
3HOW YOU CAN HELP
We need more volunteers, but there are other ways you can help.
There's always a need for more volunteers, but there are lots of other ways you can help us continue this vital service.
ONLINE SURVEY
We're collecting the views of Volunteer Ambulance Officers in Tasmania on training and other issues. Click here to take our two-minute survey.
NEW VOLUNTEERS ?
Challenging work.
No pay.
Total Respect.
If you would like to make a very real contribution to your community, and gain valuable skills that will stay with you for life, click here or call 1300-303-196 to find out more about becoming a Volunteer Ambulance Officer with the Tasmanian Ambulance Service.
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Driver training
The Association has been responsible for funding significant improvements in driver training for all Volunteer Ambulance Officers in Tasmania. -
Presentation of Certificates of Excellence to three Port Sorell VAOs
Pictured are Jack Van Tatenhove, Henk Eekelschot & Christine Medhurst, with Lara Giddings (Minister for Health). -
Our Gatherings are a time for renewing friendships and making new ones.
"Blood Challenge" was theme for dinner on Saturday evening at Camp Banksia in Port Sorell.
If you are a member, remember it's your association and we'd love to hear from you. Tasmania is fortunate to have a very strong association representing the interests of all volunteer ambulance officers across the state. We enjoy an excellent relationship with TAS management and have a powerful voice within government regarding pre-hospital care in Tasmania.
If you aren't a member, please consider joining up and supporting our ongoing work on your behalf.