Ambulance Victoria's (AV) new state-of-the-art ambulance branch in Foster is officially open.
The multi-million-dollar facility is home to a team of nine paramedics supported by 11 Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs).
The modern facilities are already making a real difference to the ambulance crews who service communities throughout South Gippsland and Wilsons Promontory.
Ambulance Victoria's new state-of-the-art ambulance branch in Foster is home to a team of nine paramedics supported by 11 Ambulance Community Officers.
The project involved a complete knock-down and rebuild of the existing branch on Station Road and the former police residence.
It features a three-bay garage for ambulances, two rest and recline areas for our hard-working crews to recuperate, and longer-term accommodation facilities. The branch also includes training facilities, a fully equipped kitchen and improved security and car parking.
"This new, purpose-built branch ensures our paramedics and ACOs have the facilities and support they need to quickly respond to life-threatening emergencies and assist in saving lives," AV Area Manager Rachelle Pellow said.
"The opening of the new branch is a great milestone for the Foster community and comes ahead of another busy summer season when tourists flock to the region."
Ms Pellow said the bigger and better, custom-built facility replaces a branch built more than 60 years ago which the team had outgrown.
"The old branch served its time but was no longer big enough to accommodate the crews and training and operational requirements of the modern era," Ms Pellow said.
"Foster paramedics and first responders now have a safe and modern home-base they can truly be proud of.
"It gives them the space they need since the Foster ambulance service was upgraded to dual paramedic crews. Foster remains supported by a dedicated team of local ACOs who are a critical part of our emergency response in rural and regional Victoria."
The project was funded by the Victorian Government's Ambulance Victoria Development Program and delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with AV and builder, Bowden Corporation.
It's one of more than 40 new ambulance branches built since 2015. This includes new branches in Moe, Morwell, Orbost, Paynesville, Sale, Traralgon and Warragul West in the Gippsland Region. A new branch in Yarram is also nearing completion.
