The new ambulances are designed to enter hazardous environments such as flood or bushfire zones. Photo: NSW Ambulance, Facebook.
Illawarra and Shoalhaven residents will be safer this bushfire season thanks to ongoing specialist training for paramedics.
Paramedics are being trained in the use of Hazardous Area Rescue Ambulances (HARA), which allow emergency medical professionals to save lives in difficult-to-reach environments.
Training with HARAs includes off-road driving, beach driving and operating a slew of safety features.
The fleet of eight vehicles was launched by Health Minister Ryan Park in October 2024 as part of a $14.8 million funding injection to improve response abilities in hazardous areas, particularly natural disaster zones such as floods and bushfires.
Now they’re expanding their reach to the South Coast.
“These vehicles have been built to withstand harsh environments, allowing the highly skilled paramedics who operate them to swiftly and safely access patients in difficult terrain and conditions,” said Mr Park, who is also the Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast.
HARAs are equipped with a range of safety features optimising them for operation in dangerous environments, such as ground fires. They have a burn-over crew protection system, which sprays water over and around the vehicle to keep it cool.
External flammable vehicle components have been replaced with fire-resistant materials, and vital vehicle infrastructure has been wrapped in fire-retardant substances that do not melt or burn in a bushfire.
The exoskeleton of the HARA has been reinforced to protect paramedics and patients from falling debris.
While the vehicles’ design is focused on optimising their ability to enter hazardous areas, they are still fully operational ambulances, with a special stretcher loader to aid paramedics in patient handling.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Dr Dominic Morgan said: “The HARAs are equipped with enhanced safety features and include a multi-agency communication system, enabling us to deliver the very best outcomes for patients.
“Now that the 2025-26 bushfire season is officially underway, NSW Ambulance is working hard to ensure staff have the training and resources at hand to deal with emergencies as they arise.”
HARAs are strategically stationed at NSW Ambulance heavy-rescue stations in Wagga Wagga, Rutherford, Cowra, Tamworth and Bomaderry, in addition to special operation locations in Sydney and Point Clare.
