Previous EMT deployments
Philippines - Typhoon Haiyan
After typhoon Haiyan ravaged the Philippines, the Medical Rescue Foundation was called upon to help a local Non Government Organisation (Victo National). 30 Australian doctors, nurses and paramedics were deployed to the Philippines for 10 day rotations. The teams were embedded with the local NGO and supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.(AFP) and directed by the Department of Health.
The volunteer medical teams moved from town to town providing clinics similar to a mobile regimental aid post, providing important initial treatment and assessments of displaced Filipinos. They treated more than 3000 patients over the course of the 30 days and information about the status of each town and their needs assessments were collated and fed back to the Department of Health to assist with planning. Critical patients were identified and transported to international field hospitals in the nearest cities.
Northern Rivers NSW - Floods
When a community as a whole is affected by a natural disaster, so too is its health workforce, primary health facilities and hospitals. The Medical Rescue Foundation aims to bolster the health workforce during a crisis giving time for the local health workers to address their own homes and family needs. The foundation provided support across the NSW Northern Rivers immediately following the floods, using paramedics and nurses in 4wd ambulances. The mobile teams visited affected communities offering initial first aid and support when the health services were still impacted by the flooding and resources were limited or cut off. In the days that followed, as roads opened and the immediate emergency needs resided, our volunteers established a medical first aid facility within Lismore offering free medical care to any locals who needed it, treating minor injuries and helping the community with medications and primary healthcare needs.
Mallacoota, Victoria - Bushfires
Following the devastating Victorian and NSW bushfires, we were asked to assist a cutoff medical centre in Mallacoota. The general practice was faced with a surge in local population with no way in or out and turned its practice into a makeshift 24/7 urgent medical facility. A team of medical and nursing staff were deployed with provisions to provide additional support to the community until the fires had eased and the roads could be reopened.
Gold Coast - Tropical Cyclone Alfred
When Tropical Cyclone Alfred loomed off the coast of Queensland's Gold Coast, the Gold Coast City Council stood up community evacuation centres across the city. As hospitals and ambulance resources were preparing for the worst, the foundation provided volunteer medical teams and equipment at each of the evacuation centres to help anyone who might need help.
The teams remained at the evacuation facilities day and night for 5 days until the threat subsided and residence were able to return home