Details of the state government’s pledge to increase training and support to Ambulance Tasmania volunteers were revealed by Health Minister Michael Ferguson on Sunday morning. 

Ambulance Tasmania’s 500 volunteers will benefit from increased reimbursement for out of pocket expenses, formal recognition within Ambulance Tasmania’s corporate structure, a superintendent of volunteer support and all volunteer stations will gain support from a branch station officer.

Three regional volunteer training co-ordinators will also come on-board to increase training opportunities. 

“We can’t provide an ambulance service to the community of Tasmania, without the 500 volunteers we have,” Ambulance Tasmania chief executive Neil Kirby said.

“A person recently cardiac arrested while having dinner [at Cradle Mountain]… the patient was defibrillated [by Cradle Mountain staff], before the ambulance arrived, which was made up of the branch station officers and volunteers.

“It’s a good indication of how the system needs to come together to work.”

Volunteers will also have their first aid training certified by the government under the new funding.

Mr Ferguson said it was a commitment that Ambulance Tasmania had raised in the past numerous times. 

“We want to strengthen our volunteer base, we want to grow it, and encourage more Tasmanians to put up their hand up,” he said.

The funding will be included in next month’s budget as a four-year commitment by the state government. 

Volunteer Tasmania chief executive Alison Lai said it was encouraging to see the commitment. 

“We applaud the government’s involvement in funding volunteers and especially when it is a government service that affects a lot of people,” she said.

“The thing volunteers want most is recognition for their service.”