Victoria’s first ever female MICA flight paramedics are taking to the skies to help save lives and care for critically sick or injured rural and regional Victorians.
Minister for Ambulance Services Jenny Mikakos today met the four new MICA paramedics who have completed their training to join Victoria’s flagship air ambulance service.
Michaela Malcolm and Sarah Wells are Victoria’s first ever female MICA flight paramedics. The pioneering duo join Simon Lynch and Andrew Osborn as the highly-trained new recruits.
Victoria’s fleet of five ambulance helicopters and four planes are a vital link that make sure people from rural and regional Victoria can get transported to major hospitals when their lives are at risk.
Highly-trained MICA paramedics have advanced knowledge and skills, and are equipped with specialised, life-saving drugs and equipment needed in an emergency. MICA flight paramedics undergo a further 18 months of training, which includes winch training for rescues at land or at sea.
Victoria has a world-class ambulance service thanks to the dedication of our paramedics and the Andrews Labor Government’s reforms and investments, including $500 million for 450 more paramedics, more vehicles and more stations.
The latest Ambulance Victoria response times quarterly data shows that 84.2 per cent of ambulances arrived within the benchmark 15 minutes – an improvement on 83 per cent a year prior, making this Ambulance Victoria’s best ever response times.
In 2014 when the Liberals were in power, only 73.2 per cent arrived within 15 minutes – and ambulance response times blew out to the worst on the mainland.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Jenny Mikakos
“Our MICA flight paramedics are some of the bravest and most highly-trained professionals, who are often the difference when it comes to life and death.”
“I wish Michaela and Sarah long and fulfilling careers helping Victorians who need their help in times of emergency.”
“Ambulance Victoria continues to lead the way when it comes to giving women the equal opportunities they deserve, with women now making up 48 per cent of the workforce.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020