Sorrento Fire Brigade boosts emergency medical response

The Fire Medical Response (FMR) program will see CFA brigades and Ambulance Victoria dispatched simultaneously to cardiac arrests. Ultimately, 50 brigades across the state will provide this service. 

CFA District 8 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sean Kerr said the program is a perfect example of how CFA volunteers provide holistic support to their communities.   

"Nine members from Sorrento brigade are now ready and embedded within the community, trained to respond swiftly in those critical early minutes,” Sean said. 

“These members have undergone extensive training and will now co-respond with Ambulance Victoria to improve survival outcomes.” 

Sorrento Fire Brigade Captain Michelle Croad said the trained members are ready to take on the new responsibility and hopes the community can have confidence in them as they navigate these new skills.   

"Sorrento Fire Brigade has now completed training and is excited to respond to FMR emergencies," Michelle said.  

"This enhances our operational capabilities within both the brigade and the wider community." 

CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook AFSM said the program was a natural fit for CFA.  

“Over coverage across Victoria puts us in a unique position to complement Ambulance Victoria’s response in 50 locations across the state to help deliver early intervention to cardiac arrests,” Garry said.  

Ambulance Victoria Executive Director of Regional Operations, Danielle North, said Victoria’s cardiac survival rates are among the best in the world, thanks to high rates of early intervention.  

“The Fire Medical Response program will improve survival rates for people in rural and regional Victoria,” Danielle said.  

“Quick intervention with CPR and a defibrillator has the greatest impact on improving a patient’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest.”