Harvey’s St John sub-centre crew celebrate first year operating as hybrid station

One year on from Harvey’s St John sub-centre becoming a hybrid station, the team has grown and is now looking to an even brighter future. Since October last year, the Harvey sub-centre has undergone several changes, shifting from having volunteers only to operating as a hybrid station with two full-time paramedics. With the change, some new volunteers have joined the ranks, taking advantage of the station’s cutting-edge facilities and training opportunities. Station emergency medical technician Dean Mullins said having paramedics had helped ease the pressure on volunteers, with numbers in the past five months increasing from 28 volunteers to 48. “Having integrated working with paramedics, our volunteers have been upskilled,” he said Mr Mullins said nothing the station did would be possible without volunteers. He said the station regularly connected with the community by visiting schools and attending local events. “Next year, we’re opening the new part of the sub-centre — our museum — for people to come in and see the history of Harvey and volunteering throughout the 88 years,” he said. “If you’ve got family members that have volunteered here in the 88 years, their names will be up here and you’ll be able to visit.” Station manager and paramedic Suleen Van Der Westhuizen said with Pinjarra’s and Dawesville’s sub-centres at capacity, the Harvey station had been eager to welcome the influx of volunteers. “In the past, it used to take a really long time to get everyone started, getting them in uniform and on an ambulance,” she said. “But now, we basically have people on an ambulance within six to eight weeks from starting.” Mrs Van Der Westhuizen said there was a range of support the volunteers provided to the station beyond helping out in the field. “We want people to feel like there’s a place for you here,” she said. “Every person’s role here is important, you know? They make a difference.” Mrs Van Der Westhuizem said the crew were eager to welcome in the next generation and were looking to sign up for the St John’s cadet program. “We would love to do it and give the kids in Harvey something to do,” she said. “It is definitely something I’m going to push for, getting the kids in town involved. I think that’ll be a good thing.”