THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407040188
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, Staff Writer
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Fire trucks and ambulances have a way of attracting attention.
But all the way from Australia?
Last week, two Australian emergency service officials visited their Norfolk counterparts after determining that the city's fire and paramedic services agency is an international model.
Norfolk Fire and Paramedic Services formed in 1991 from a merger of two departments.
The result, the Australians believe, is a streamlined agency that uses fire trucks and ambulances more efficiently, puts more manpower on the street and has improved response time to emergencies.
``You seem to have a better manner at getting things working here,'' said David Ryan of the Melbourne Metropolitan Ambulance Service. ``The approach here is to get to the patient and that's what it's all about.''
Ryan and Denis Rich of the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade visited several emergency services sites in Norfolk, including rescue stations and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital's trauma center. They also went on emergency calls with Norfolk crews.
``We're going to take back a better understanding of how to manage change in emergency services and utilize resources for the community,'' Ryan said.
Norfolk was one of the few areas Rich and Ryan toured in the United States. After leaving Norfolk, the two were scheduled to visit Chicago, Seattle, Phoenix and Los Angeles. The 4 1/2-week jaunt also took the duo to England and Vancouver, Canada.
Rich and Ryan read an article about Norfolk's set-up, and after researching other areas, received a grant for their tour. Although they are visiting other places, Ryan said Norfolk was the key city because its merged fire and paramedic service was well established.
Norfolk Paramedic Lt. Skip Scribner said the department could not be more honored.
``We're extremely delighted that we're their first stop in the U.S.,'' said Scribner, who guided Rich and Ryan around Norfolk. ``We hope we were able to share information with them.''
Scribner said Norfolk is pleased its service is considered successful. ``We'll continue to develop the model that was molded and make it better,'' he said. ``It's a better utilization of manpower by increasing training and making better use of time.''
Ryan said emergency services in many cities focus more on ``looking good'' rather than helping the community. But from what they have seen that is not the case in Norfolk, he said.
They were also impressed with the Norfolk agency's commitment to the community.
``We should be able to give the community the service that they need and that's not happening'' elsewhere he said. ``But they've started that process here.''
Australia emergency services cover a much larger area, Rich said. In addition, they must handle political red tape that hinders effectiveness.
``You've got more funding and more support,'' Ryan said. ``Our fire and paramedic units are two separate parts of the government that're fighting each other.''
Touring Norfolk was a success Ryan said. He said the city reminded them of Melbourne.
Melbourne, the second largest city in Australia is much more populous, with about 2.5 million people to Norfolk's 255,000. But Ryan said, ``this could be home.
``There are the same problems, same people and attitudes,'' he said. ``Just change the accent and I could be home.'' by CNB